The first thing people notice when you smile is your teeth and no one can deny the power of a beautiful smile to make a great impression.
But what if the one thing people notice first gets stained or discoloured.
Not only would it lower your confidence but it will also compromise your oral hygiene.
You can avoid these stains by staying away from these food items that stain your teeth:
1. Coffee/ Tea
Coffee or tea is something we all take frequently during the day, for some of us it is a way to Kickstart our morning and for others, it helps in getting through a tiring day. But coffee and tea contain a large number of tannins which are chemicals that cause the yellowish stain on your teeth. Coffee and tea also increase bacterial growth and can cause teeth enamel erosion.
So to prevent these ugly stains use a straw while drinking instead of sipping. You can brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush twice a day, have the stains removed by a dentist or use a tooth whitening paste to remove them yourself.
2. Wine
Indulging in a glass of red or white wine may look harmless but not when you see your purple smile. Wine especially white wine contains more tannins which cause erosion of the shiny white layer. So, the next time you drink wine always brush your teeth before to avoid plaque from sticking with the wine, sip water in between, eat fibrous food which will naturally clean your stain and most importantly carry wine wipes for emergencies.
3. Candy, Popsicles and Coloured Chewing Gums
Who can resist the multicoloured hard chewy candy, the flavourful popsicles and those chewing gums that change colour?
But these delicious food are the reason for your stained smile as they contain a lot of artificial food colours that are bad for your teeth enamel. But how do you know which candies aren’t so bad? The trick is simple, if the candy or food stains your tongue it will stain your teeth. The best way is to limit the intake of these coloured treats for a gorgeous smile.
4. Berries
Berries come with a lot of health benefits. They are rich in anti-oxidants and a lot of vitamins but berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are rich in colour pigments that stick to the enamel, the outer layer of the tooth and cause staining. So, after you eat your bowl of fresh berries brush your teeth immediately or simply rinse your mouth with water.
5. Fermented Sauces
Fermented sauces like soy sauce, tomato sauce, and balsamic vinegar can add a great taste to your food but because of their acidic nature, they eventually damage the tooth enamel and cause yellowing of teeth. Avoid overconsumption of these for healthy tooth enamel.
Other ways you can prevent staining of your teeth is by eating dark leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, and crunchy root veggies. Along with this proper brushing technique and regular dental checkup will do wonders for your oral hygiene.
Now that you know all about what not to eat, avoid these foods and flaunt your flawless smile!