Most people want to have white teeth. After all, nothing is more embarrassing than smiling in front of someone or a camera with teeth as dark as charcoal. That's quite exaggerated, but you get the idea. If you don't believe that many people want white teeth, it s worth knowing that the teeth whitening industry generates over £10 billion a year. That's a lot of money spent on trying to get a set of teeth white.
The Cause Of Stained Teeth
Now, you might be wondering what stains the teeth in the first place. You might even be surprised that teeth can be stained. Well, they can, and that's because your teeth are more like sponges than they are a solid piece of rock. That means that any staining food you eat will slowly seep into your teeth, turning it from any colour other than white. Acidic foods also grind away your teeth's enamel, exposing the dentine under that is even more prone to staining. If you want to keep your teeth white, it pays to know what kind of foods you should be careful around. This shouldn't be a reason to stop you from enjoying those treats, but it should be used as a precaution.
Here are five types of food that can stain your teeth:
1. Sauces Rich In Colour
If you're a big fan of food items that contain sauces rich in colour, expect to have your teeth stained. Dishes like curries and bolognese all contain sauces that are heavy in colour, not necessarily because of food colouring, but because of the ingredients used in them. They contain pigments that, when in contact with teeth, tend to linger.
2. Food Colouring
It should not surprise you that food colouring is staining in itself. Many foods also contain food colouring, some of which you might not realize. For example, sweets, both hard and chewable, and ice lollies contain food colouring to brighten the product, making them look more enticing.
3. Tea And Coffee
Your morning coffee and afternoon tea can both cause your teeth to be stained. If you do not know, these drinks contain some form of acid that can slowly erode the enamel from your teeth, exposing dentin. That, in addition to the colour of coffee and tea, will cause your teeth to become darker and darker in colour as you continue consuming them.
4. Berries
Berries, while fully loaded with antioxidants that are healthy for you, are also full of chromogens (substances that can be turned to dye) to stain your teeth with. Of course, you should still be eating these as they are healthy, but try to avoid overeating.
5. Sweet Drinks
On the other side of the spectrum of health, sugary drinks, in addition to being unhealthy, will also stain your teeth. Sports drink, sodas, energy drinks all of these contain a lot of acids and sugar, which not only breaks down the enamel of your teeth but even puts your teeth at risk of developing cavities.
In Conclusion
If you want to ensure that your teeth stay white for as long as possible, try limiting your consumption of the food mentioned above. However, habit also plays a massive role in keeping your teeth white. There are a few things you can do to keep your teeth white while still enjoying food items. For example, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after consuming staining food items, and use items like straws to drink staining liquids. All the best with keeping your teeth white! We’re rated as one of the best dentists in Fulham & London. Get in touch with us today for a consultation!