Teeth whitening is something many people care about because it makes their smile appear beautiful and bright. While brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups help keep your teeth healthy, what you eat also plays a big role in how white or stained your teeth can become.
Some foods can cause teeth discoloration, while others help maintain that shiny and healthy look of the teeth. If you are concerned about having white teeth, then you should seek a teeth whitening near you to obtain effective treatment.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Whitening of the teeth can be defined as a dental procedure that is used to make your teeth look whiter and shinier through stain elimination. Due to dietary choices, beverages, tobacco products or simply normal wear and tear, teeth can accumulate staining agents.
Teeth whitening procedures are done with special materials, especially chemical substances such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, that break down stains on the enamel surface.
How Does Diet Affect Teeth Whitening?
Your diet affects your teeth more than you might think. The enamel, which is the outer layer of your teeth, can stain from the absorption of pigments in any of the consumables that you take. There are certain foods that have dark colouring compounds that will discolour your teeth over time. There are, however, foods that can contribute to the cleaning of teeth and the overall protection of the enamel, hence enhancing the brightness of the smile.
Here’s how your diet plays a crucial role in impacting teeth whitening:
- Staining foods: Some foods and drinks that are dark in colour may also stain your teeth. The more often it gets to consume or intake these specific foods and beverages, chances are it will cause the teeth to yellow or discolour.
- Acidic foods: Acidic foods can weaken the enamel, making it easier for stains to stick to your teeth. Over time, this can lead to more noticeable discoloration.
- Healthy foods: Certain foods, especially those high in water or fibre, can help clean food particles and more to keep your teeth clean.
Foods to Avoid for Whiter Teeth
Some foods and drinks are well-known for causing stains and damaging your teeth’s whiteness. If you’re considering a teeth whitening procedure or want to maintain your bright smile, let’s look at the top 7 foods that you should avoid to keep your teeth as white as possible.
1. Coffee
Coffee is a popular drink, and it stains teeth. The dark colour of coffee, combined with its acidity, makes it easy for stains to stick to your enamel. If you drink coffee, try adding milk, as it can help reduce staining. Also, consider drinking water afterward to clean the pigments from the mouth.
2. Tea
In a similar manner as coffee, tea can also lead to staining, particularly black tea, and other dark versions. While green tea is generally healthier than the usual black tea, it serves as a contributor to the dulling of teeth. Drinking through a straw or preferring white tea can be useful in lessening discolouration of the teeth.
3. Red Wine
Red wine has dark pigments and is acidic, which means it can stain your teeth easily. Drinking it often can lead to deep stains that are hard to remove.It is recommended that people take some water to help wash out their mouths to prevent staining by wine.
4. Berries (Blueberries, Blackberries)
Berries are healthy, but they have strong pigments that can stain your teeth. Whether you eat them whole, in a smoothie, or as a juice, they can leave behind stains. Brush your teeth or drink water soon after eating berries to prevent stains.
5. Soda and Sugary Drinks
Soda will stain your teeth, mainly dark sodas since they contain a high sugar content and their pigmentation is dark. These drinks are also very acidic, which can wear down enamel. If you must drink soda, use a straw and limit your intake to protect your teeth.
6. Curry
The curry tastes very nice to consume but has an attractive golden-yellow colour that ultimately acts as a stain. Spices that are used in preparing curry have pigments that stick to the surface of teeth, resulting in discolouration. Eating curry with raw vegetables can help scrape off the pigments and reduce staining.
Foods to Enjoy for Whiter Teeth
Luckily, some foods can help keep your teeth white. These foods either help clean your teeth or strengthen your enamel, making it easier to maintain the results of professional teeth whitening. Here are seven foods you should enjoy if you want a whiter smile:
1. Apples
Apples contain water and fibre, and as one crunches the food down, it helps to clean the teeth. Due to the textural property of apples, this fruit scrubs teeth in a natural way and can eliminate food debris and stains. Apples are also useful to clean your teeth between meals—it is even beneficial to chew them often as a snack.
2. Carrots
Like apples, carrots are crunchy and high in fibre. Chewing carrots helps to stimulate saliva production, which naturally cleans food particles and bacteria from your teeth. Include raw carrots in your meals to help maintain clean teeth.
3. Celery
Celery is another crunchy vegetable that helps scrub your teeth and increases saliva production. More saliva means fewer bacteria and less staining. Eating celery is rather easy, and this will make it easier for you to boost the health of your teeth.
4. Strawberries
Even though strawberries are red, they contain malic acid, which is a natural agent for teeth whitening. Eating strawberries can help remove surface stains from your teeth. Crushing strawberries and then combining them with baking soda can lead to an effective teeth-whitening mixture.
5. Cheese
Cheese contains calcium, which helps strengthen tooth enamel. A stronger enamel is unlikely to absorb stains, and the ability helps in preventing discoloration. Consuming cheese after meals may remove acids that cause stains in your mouth, hence preventing staining.
6. Yogurt
Like cheese, yogurt is rich in calcium and protein, which help strengthen your enamel. The probiotics in yogurt can also help combat harmful bacteria in your mouth.
7. Broccoli
Raw broccoli can help clean your teeth as you chew. It’s also rich in fibre, which helps to reduce plaque buildup and keep your teeth white. Incorporating raw broccoli into your food plan can be an excellent strategy for tooth cleaning.
Get Your Radiant Smile Today At Habashy Dental!
Habashy Dental offers quality dental care for you and your families in a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. Our dentist in Westlake uses the latest technology to offer a wide range of services to meet your dental needs. Our practice aims at delivering individualized approaches to ensure patients walk out of our clinic with good, healthy smiles on their faces. Trust us for all your dental needs! Visit Habashy Dental today to set your appointment and let us help you achieve your confident, radiant smile!