Hello again Plano! We welcome you again to the dental health blog of the Plano Smile Studio.
The Texas summer heat is beginning to subside a bit, and the kids are back in school. But believe it or not, the holidays are just around the corner. We want your teeth to look white for all your holiday photos.
So in today’s blog we’re going to inform you about some of the many foods and drinks that can stain your beautiful white teeth.
The enamel of your teeth are in the frontlines of battle every single day. All the foods you eat, and all the beverages you drink make an impact on the enamel of your teeth. These foods and drinks can leave a tremendous amount of stains on your enamel. This leaves your teeth looking yellow and undesirable.
Although it’s true that all foods and beverages can stain your teeth, some do so more so than others. In today’s blog post, we’re going to give you a quick rundown of some of the more troublesome staining foods, drinks, and substances. Call it the Dentist’s Most Wanted list, because some of these items simply spell trouble for your teeth.
Most Wanted #7: Popsicles
As our hot Texas summer begins to wind down, popsicles are still an alluring treat to beat the heat. But popsicles are filled with artificial dyes to give them their fun colors. These dyes can stain your teeth, and leave a nasty residue on your enamel. You know how they seem to color your tongue? They do that to your teeth as well.
Most Wanted #6: Tea
Tea has many positive nutritional values. However, it is also a staining agent for your teeth. Tea is filled with tannins; tannins cling to your teeth and act almost like a magnet in attracting bacteria to stain your teeth. Black tea is the worst offender; green and white tea are less likely to stain your teeth.
Most Wanted #5: Wine
Wine is delicious and studies have shown that a glass of it a day can benefit your overall health. However, that’s not true for your teeth. Red wine is filled with natural dyes, and natural dyes can stain your teeth just like the artificial dyes in popsicles do. In addition, red and white wine are filled bacteria attracting tannins.
Most Wanted #4: Berries
Blueberries, raspberries, and other types of fruits can stain your teeth. Fruits contain the same nature dyes as wine, and stain in a similar fashion. Imagine if you squeezed a handful of blueberries. Your hands would be covered in blue residue; the same is true for your teeth when you chew.
Most Wanted #3: Coffee
Your teeth contain a tremendous amount of pits and ridges on their surface. Whenever you drink coffee, particles from the drink become embedded in the pits and ridges of your teeth. This residue can leave long lasting, hard to remove stains.
Most Wanted #2: Soda
Soda is filled with artificial dyes and sugar. These dyes stain your teeth, while the sugar in the drinks attract decay causing bacteria. But even clear soda or diet sodas can be dangerous. All sodas are acidic which weakens your enamel and can leave stains.
Most Wanted #1: Nicotine Products
Cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, and ‘vaping juice’ all contain nicotine. Nicotine leaves nasty stains all over your enamel. Whenever you inhale or chew a nicotine product, nicotine and other harmful chemicals are distributed all over your teeth. Have you ever seen a smoker’s fingertips? Nicotine often stains their skin; it does likewise to teeth.
Professional Teeth Whitening
All the foods, drinks, and substances listed in this blog post can cause stains on your enamel. They happen and they’re a part of life. But you don’t have to leave with them anymore.
We offer several types of Professional Teeth Whitening at the Plano Smile Studio in Plano, TX. Professional Teeth Whitening can remove years worth of stains from the enamel of your teeth. Click here to make an appointment.
