Foods and Drinks That Stain Your Teeth

LAS VEGAS, NV, August 01, 2012 (Press-News.org) There is some truth in the old adage "you are what you eat," and the evidence can be especially noticeable on your teeth. In fact, stained or otherwise discolored teeth is one of the most common cosmetic dental problems.

The porous nature of tooth enamel makes teeth vulnerable to staining, and people who regularly consume dark-colored foods and beverages are especially susceptible to premature tooth discoloration. It is not just the color of foods and drinks that contributes to staining, however; acidic foods and beverages can result in wearing down tooth enamel and causing stains.

Foods that commonly contribute to stained teeth include:

- Dark or acidic fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, cherries and beets
- Popsicles
- Dark or acidic dressings and sauces such as tomato sauce, soy sauce and curry
- Candies
- Chocolate
- Dark spices such as cumin, turmeric and mustard

Beverages that can contribute to teeth discoloration include:

- Coffee
- Tea
- Red wine
- Soda
- Juices such as orange juice, cranberry juice and pomegranate juice
- Dark-colored sports drinks
- Hot chocolate

This is not to say that these foods and drinks are necessarily bad for you. It's important for both your oral health and overall systemic health to maintain a balanced diet that includes many of the fruits, vegetables, beverages and other ingredients listed here. Likewise, there have been health benefits associated with staining foods and drinks such as tea, red wine and dark spices.

With the natural aging process and the cumulative effect of the consumption of dark foods and drinks, your teeth will eventually experience some degree of staining no matter how good your dental hygiene routine. Fortunately, there are also a number of options available for restoring a bright, healthy looking smile.

For light to moderate surface discoloration, a professional teeth whitening treatment can lighten your teeth several shades. In addition to providing in-office teeth whitening, many cosmetic dentists also offer professional-grade take-home teeth whitening kits that are more effective than over-the-counter whitening products.

If you suffer from extreme teeth discoloration or subsurface teeth stains, porcelain veneers may be a better option. Porcelain veneers are thin layers of porcelain that are bonded to the surfaces of your affected teeth and are shaped and colored to look like healthy natural teeth.

If you would like to learn more about your teeth whitening options, please visit the website of the Las Vegas cosmetic dentists at Drs. Bryson & Margio Dentistry at www.drsbrysonandmargio.com.