Your smile’s appearance is an essential part of your confidence. Stains can make you feel self-conscious, and whether you have dentures or natural teeth, there are certain foods and drinks that will make stains worse. Below are three of the biggest staining culprits you should avoid for a smoother trip to the dentist.

3 Foods to Cut From Your Diet for a Whiter Smile

1. Acidic Drinks

Coffee, tea, and sodas are all acidic, sugary, and darkly-colored drinks. The acids soften the enamel, allowing the dark pigment to settle on your teeth. Dentures aren’t immune to acids from red and white wine; they can still corrode the material and weaken the enamel. If you consume these drinks, limit your intake and drink water immediately after. 

2. Fruits

Citrus fruits and berries stain teeth. The acids in them—especially citric fruits—will soften your enamel with each exposure, allowing pigmented substances to seep through to the porous layers of your teeth, causing lasting stains. Oranges, blueberries, blackberries, lemons, and pomegranates all fall into this category. If you do eat dark or acidic fruits, rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum afterward to wash the acids and juices away.

3. Bright Popsicles & Suckers

Many candies and sweet treats are high in sugar, acids, and artificial coloring. Popsicles and lollipops damage teeth and lead to severe staining because of the time it takes to eat them. Prolonged exposure allows the enamel to weaken and stains to set in before you can rinse your mouth. If you want to indulge, dentists suggest looking for sugar-free or lightly colored options that are low in citric acids.

From teeth whitening to periodontal disease treatment, the dentist team at BridgeView Dental Group in Kodiak, AK, will improve your smile. They use leading technology to provide optimal care. Their comprehensive services include dentures, periodontal disease treatment, dental implants, tongue-tie treatments, and emergency dentistry care. Learn more about their services online and call (907) 486-3257 to schedule a whitening treatment.