Can you Prevent Teeth from Staining?

Do you find yourself hiding your smile because your pearly whites aren’t so pearly anymore? Age can turn teeth dingy, which can be remedied by cosmetic whitening, but a few changes in diet and/or lifestyle can be the key to preventing the discoloration of teeth.

It’s unreasonable, if possible, to change an entire diet to eliminate all small luxuries like a morning cup of coffee or an evening glass of wine, but both are known to stain teeth. So how can people enjoy these things while also maintaining a bright, white smile? Our dentists in Jeffersonville are exploring just that on the blog today.

Read on for some helpful tips!

Common causes of teeth discoloration

Some of the most common foods and beverages that lead to teeth staining include:

• Black coffee
• Red wine
• Tea
• Dark sodas
• Juice
• Soy sauce
• Balsamic vinegar
• Tomato sauce
• Beets
• Curry
• Dark berries
• Food dyes
• Tobacco use

If you enjoy one or more of these items in your usual diet, our Louisville cosmetic dentists say it’s important to know ways to combat the teeth staining they may cause.

Use a straw

Rather than a staining liquid having prolonged and repeated contact with the teeth, a straw helps the liquid bypass the teeth, limiting the teeth’s exposure to the staining liquid.

Dilute

Try diluting coffee and tea by adding milk or cream.

Rinse

After enjoying any of the common causes of teeth staining, simply rinse your mouth with water two or three times.

Eat raw fruits and veggies

Raw, crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and celery can help serve as natural “floss,” helping to dislodge any leftover, staining food particles from between the teeth.

Chew sugarless gum

Gums containing xylitol as a sugar alternative stimulate saliva production, helping wash away any liquids from the mouth that can cause teeth staining.

Use a tongue cleaner

Tongue cleaners can rid the mouth of stains that are on the tongue that can eventually end up on the teeth.

Use whitening toothpaste

Brush twice a day — for two minutes each time — with toothpaste that contains a whitening agent. But don’t brush right after eating to avoid brushing stains into the tooth’s surface. If brushing soon after eating, rinse first, then brush and floss. 

Use electric toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are better than normal toothbrushes at ridding the teeth of potentially staining food particles and liquids.

Keep dentist appointments

Schedule two routine dental appointments each year for professional cleanings.

Following these practices and enjoying teeth-staining foods and beverages in moderation will help prevent teeth discoloration. Sometimes, though, the teeth become discolored despite our best efforts to keep them white. In that case, our dentists in Shepherdsville who specialize in professional teeth whitening can help.

Professional teeth whitening is far faster and more effective than using whitening products that can be purchased over the counter.

Teeth Whitening in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Louisville and Shepherdsville, Kentucky

Do you need to brighten your smile with affordable teeth whitening treatments? Let us at Exceptional Dentistry make a difference in your smile and, thus, your confidence. Give us a call at (888) 918-3336 or connect with us online.