Keeping your smile bright requires effort. A lot of the foods we love may be delicious, but they can also lead to dental visits for teeth cleaning. These extrinsic stains on your enamel are directly connected to the foods and drinks you ingest, unlike intrinsic stains stemming from the innards of your teeth. If you enjoy any of the following food items, remember to practice the correct dental techniques to avoid blemishes on your pearly whites.

Which Foods Can Stain Your Teeth?

1. Coffee

Your morning cup of coffee could be wreaking havoc on your teeth. Acidic drinks, like coffee, are notorious for breaking down the precious enamel covering your teeth. Tannin, a natural substance found within the coffee plant, is used for tanning leather and dyeing fabric. This pigment is also in coffee and can turn your teeth a brownish-yellow color. If you are a heavy coffee drinker, it is recommended that you drink it through a straw, sip quickly, and brush directly after consumption. 

2. Dark Sauces

Tomato sauce and soy sauce contain pigments and dyes that stick to your teeth and cause stains. Pasta sauces with high acidity will also weaken enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to harm. Eating yogurt or sipping milk before a spaghetti dinner can help protect your teeth from the sauce’s negative effects.

3. Berries

Dark-colored berries may provide your body with great nutrients, but their deep hues will discolor your teeth. Lighter-colored fruits like white cranberries and grapes are a safer alternative, though it is still important to be aware of their high levels of acid. Try rinsing your mouth thoroughly with water after enjoying a handful of berries to check their staining effects. Schedule a teeth cleaning with your dentist soon afterward to maintain your white smile.

Keep your smile bright with the help of the expert dentists at Gleason Dental Clinic in Beatrice, NE. Serving the Gage County area for over 45 years, Dr. David Gleason, D.D.S. and his two sons are available evenings and weekends for a variety of cosmetic and general procedures. In addition to teeth whitening, they also offer dental implants and cavity removal. Visit their website for a look at their treatment options or call for an appointment at (402) 228-3119.