Five Foods Known to Stain Teeth

Five Foods Known to Stain Teeth

Stay away from these!

If you are trying to preserve a beautifully white smile, especially after a whitening treatment at home or with our Toronto dentist – here are 5 foods to avoid in order to keep those pearly whites, well, white!

  1. Berries
    The dark juices and skins of fruits like blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and blackberries have the potential to really dull a bright smile. So whether you’re drinking juice, enjoying a jam or jelly on toast or are snacking on these fruits whole, a white smile isn’t 100% safe!
  2. Salad dressings
    Vinegar-based salad dressings, such as balsamic vinegar (a classic favorite!) unfortunately are also to blame when it comes to tainting a white smile. Luckily, lettuce is high in water content and will help to ease the effects of dark dressings and  vinegars.
  3. Tomato sauce
    Can you believe this one? Tomatoes and tomato/pasta sauce are notorious for staining teeth. It’s unfortunate because it’s such a common food! The acidity in the juice has a staining effect on the teeth – so to prevent staining and even enamel erosion while you consume this, swish some water around in your mouth in-between bites and  after.
  4. Curry
    While it may be the star of many Indian dishes, this popular spice will easily stain teeth due to its high pigmentation and bold, yellow/orange colour. In fact, pearly whites can turn a similar colour to the curry itself – yikes! If you’re trying to keep your smile bright, eat curry-infused meals along with foods that combat teeth staining, such as leafy greens, apples or just be sure to drink good old h20.
  5. Beets
    taining BEETS whitening when it comes to this vegetable! The red juice acts as a very powerful staining agent. Again, water is your friend when it comes to defending against its staining quality.

Well, there you have it! Five foods that are notorious for turning a bright smile dull. But we feel it’s important to mention that there are a few beverages capable of causing just as much staining! Try to stay away from drinks such as coffee, tea, dark fruit juices and red and white wine – or use a straw when you do consume them to preserve your bright smile for longer.