Stay Away From Foods Like These - Tips to Maintain a Whiter Smile

​Are your lips tight when you are smiling? Or do you cover your mouth when you are laughing? Your lack of confidence might be because of the changes in the colour of your teeth. Do not worry though, because it is entirely natural and you can do something to avoid it! 

The change of colour in our teeth typically happens as we age, because the outer enamel wears away. It is also because of the food and beverages that we consume, which adds to the discolouration, reducing the teeth’ lustre and shine. 

If you want to know which foods to avoid, keep reading as we will list down all the foods that may cause teeth discolouration. 

1. Dark Food and Beverages

In keeping your teeth white, you must avoid eating dark food and beverages as it is one of the primary reasons for sudden discolouration. Why? Because it leaves pigments over time staining your enamel, causing your teeth to look yellowish and dull. Dark-coloured foods also contain compounds called chromogens. Chromogens has intense pigments that stay to the tooth’s enamel, so it is best to minimize dark colour food intakes such as the following: 

• Dark beer
  
• Red wine
  
• Coffee and tea
  
• Soft drinks, root beers, and cola
  
• Food dyes
  
• Cherries
  
• Blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries
  
• Dark-coloured condiments 

2. Acidic Ingredients

Some foods contain high amounts of acid, leaving your dental enamel to increase its chance of staining. Acids can highly wear off your enamel while it leaves rough patches on your teeth. It does not just cause discolouration, it can also damage your teeth caused by bacteria. If you also see some darker-toned dentin inside your teeth, it is most likely due to the acid brought by the food you intake. If you don’t want this to happen, avoid foods that have acidic ingredients like: 

• Dark fruit juices like cranberry juice and grapes
  
• Orange juice, pineapple juice, and grapefruit
  
• Tomato sauce

3. Tobacco

Along with the health effects of tobacco, it can cause teeth discolouration as well. If you smoke, you’re more likely to get teeth discolouration due to a chemical in tobacco that builds up tar on the surface of the teeth. The tar then finds its way into the enamel, making the teeth yellow and brown. 

Conclusion

It is undeniable that avoiding these foods is difficult to do. However, there are available foods that neutralize the effects of discolouration, so you can still have a wide variety of food to choose from. 

If you have a dental emergency or need a dental cleaning or filling services, our walk-in dental clinic in Calgary is available 24/7. Check out the 24/7 Emergency Dental Clinic for any of your dental concerns. We offer teeth whitening, dental implants, porcelain veneers, full mouth rehabilitation, and so much more. Book your appointment with us now and get a booking within 24 hours! 

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