Everyone wants bright, shiny teeth; however, sometimes, the beverages you consume can prevent that from happening. According to Dr. Montgomery D. Heathman, a dentist at The Dental Clinic at Stuttgart in Arkansas, there are several drinks people ingest on a daily basis that contain staining agents known to seep into the cracks of tooth enamel. While teeth whitening can help counteract these effects, the best method is to limit or avoid them altogether.

5 Drinks Dentists Say Will Stain Your Teeth

1. Coffee

America’s favorite beverage contains intensely pigmented compounds known as chromogens, which easily stick to tooth enamel. Coffee is also very acidic, so it has the ability to soften and erode the enamel. This creates rough patches that allow the chromogens to stick easier.

2. Tea

While coffee is a perennial favorite, tea is consumed by up to half the population. However, it’s also known for its staining capabilities: Not only does tea contain chromogens and acids, it is also packed with tannins, which enhance the staining power of chromogens.

3. Red Wine

The dark color of red wine makes it one of the top tooth-staining drinks dentists run into. Plus, it has plenty of tannins and acids, which make your teeth more susceptible to chromogens.

4. White Wine

Even though many people are aware of how easily red wine can stain teeth, they don’t normally think about the damage white wine can do. The amount of acids and tannins in this beverage makes your teeth susceptible to staining agents found in foods, such as strawberries and blueberries, you might eat while drinking it.

5. Soft Drinks

People who regularly consume soft drinks can easily develop tooth stains. All sodas tend to contain a lot of acids, which make the teeth susceptible to staining by other foods throughout the day. Plus, darker sodas are also filled with chromogens.

If your tooth enamel has suffered from years of ingesting these stain-causing beverages, schedule a teeth whitening session at The Dental Clinic at Stuttgart today. For more information about their dentist and dental team, call (870) 551-3836 or visit them online.