9 foods to avoid to keep your teeth white
Certain foods can stain our teeth and give them the yellow tinge that nobody wants. So rather than heading to the dentist for a teeth whitening session you can simply avoid these foods (or brush well right after) to give your smile a chance to stay bright and white.
Can’t say no to your coffee fix or your cherry snack? Just try cutting down as much as you can, or mix them with other things that will help reduce the effect.
1. Red wine
You’ve probably experienced that less-than-glamorous red wine smile after a few vinos. And the bad news is that the staining can last even longer than your hangover.
2. White wine
But don’t reach for the chardonnay just yet – white wine can cause yellow teeth as well. Not due to the colour of the drink itself, but the effect that the acid in white wine has on your teeth. It weakens them and leaves you vulnerable when you do tuck into something dark (like your ‘morning after’ coffee).
3. Tea and coffee
It makes sense that dark drinks will stain your teeth, but if you’re a caffeine lover it’s fairly unlikely that you’ll be giving up your drug of choice. Add a little milk to help combat the discolouration.
4. Fresh lemon and lime
It tastes great in your drink but the acid in these citrus fruits can affect the enamel on your teeth, removing the surface layer to reveal the yellow tones underneath.
5. Beetroot
It’s not just your hands or shirt that get stained from this earthy veg. Beetroot affects your teeth in the same way. Try adding some cheese to help combat the negative effects of the beets.
6. Balsamic vinegar and soy sauce
You may not know that the popular dressing balsamic vinegar is around fifteen per cent sugar, so the sticky dark liquid quickly attaches itself to your teeth, leading to discolouration. Soy sauce is high in salt as well as being dark in colour, which can also cause trouble.
7. Cherries and berries
It’s getting obvious now that the darker fruits and veg can be contributing to your yellow teeth. But it’s not all doom and gloom – the health benefits still make them worth consuming, so long as you have a quick brush afterwards.
8. Fresh juice
Now that you know about the acid in food affecting your teeth as well as the dark foods, you’ll think twice before adding those carrots, beets, turmeric, or citrus fruits to your freshly squeezed juice at the café.
9. Sports drinks
It’s not only the sugar content that causes stains to ‘stick’ to the teeth – it’s also the acids that can lead to trouble. Water will always hydrate you more than a sports drink, and remember, it’s completely clear.
Have you found anything else that has caused discolouration in your teeth? We would love to hear about your experience in the comments below.