One of the first aspects that someone will notice when meeting you is your smile. While brushing twice a day is an excellent way to keep teeth bright and healthy, you should also schedule regular teeth cleaning with a dentist. However, even with these precautions, certain foods and drinks can stain the teeth, creating discoloration that is challenging to remove. Below is more information about these items, as well as how you can avoid stains in the future.

What Items Stain Your Teeth?

Many foods and drinks—such as soy sauce, soda, and candy—get their bold coloring from artificial compounds that allow manufacturers to choose the perfect shade for their products. Because these products also contain acids, they will break down the enamel of your tooth, allowing the stain to become permanent.

Alternatively, drinks like red wine, coffee, and tea contain tannins, which are organic molecules that have a yellowish hue. This powerful chemical will stick to the surface of your teeth, and without prompt brushing, will stain them with repeated exposure. Other items that contain strong dyes include curry, tomato-based sauces, and berries.

How Can You Prevent Stains?

The best way to avoid discoloration is to remove items that cause stains from your diet. However, this is not always possible, and some of the most frequent culprits provide many healthy nutrients. For example, tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and Vitamin C.

Instead of cutting them out completely, limit your consumption and brush your teeth immediately after consuming them. This means that you can enjoy your morning cup of coffee, without experiencing the negative effects of the tannins.

Also, visiting a dentist for professional teeth cleaning will help prevent stains from developing and worsening. They will brush and remove any plaque that contributes to the discoloration, ensuring your smile is bright. You can even receive teeth whitening procedures that will lift long-standing stains from your teeth.

When you need to make a teeth cleaning appointment, contact Stadler Dental Care in Columbus, NE. This dental office provides routine exams and cosmetic dentistry options that will help you prevent and reduce the effects of stains. Dr. Andrew Stadler is a member of the American Dental Association that strives to make every patient feel comfortable and welcome in his office. Call (402) 564-4093 to schedule an appointment. Visit them online for more information about their services.