Good oral hygiene is, of course, the main way to keep a healthy, bright smile, but you also need to be careful about what you eat and drink. Certain foods and drinks are particularly harmful to the colour of your teeth. It is important to know them and avoid them if you want to keep your teeth white for longer.
Tomatoes
Because of their acidity, bright red colour and ability to stick to the tooth surface, tomato sauces and tomato products are the enemy of a white smile. Some dark green vegetables, such as lettuce, broccoli and spinach, help to form a protective layer on the surface of the teeth, so it is a good idea to eat them before a tomato sauce.
Curry
Curry is a well-known spice, widely used in Indian cuisine and exotic dishes, and with long-term use it can also turn your teeth yellow. You may want to limit how much of it you eat. When you eat dishes with curry, it is a good idea to also eat foods that help prevent staining, such as apples, carrots, cauliflower and celery.
Balsamic vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is a healthy salad dressing, but its dark colour can stain your teeth, especially if it is not removed straight away. You don't have to give it up. Try adding cos lettuce to a salad with vinegar, as it helps to clean the vinegar off your teeth quickly and naturally.
Blueberries
These berries have proven antioxidant properties, which makes them good for your body, but their deep, dark colour can stain your teeth, whether you eat them whole or as juice, jam or preserves. Try not to keep them in your mouth for long, and drink more water to reduce their staining effect. It is a good idea to finish your meal with a glass of milk or a piece of cheese to neutralise the acids in your mouth.
Drinks
Many drinks, including coffee, tea, energy drinks, fizzy soft drinks and wine, cause stains, mainly because of their high acidity. All types of tea, even white tea, have been shown to stain and damage the enamel surface. Dark fizzy drinks damage the teeth with their acids and make it easier for other foods to stain them too. It is not only red wine that stains – white wine does too. White wine is more acidic and is therefore harmful to the tooth surface. The solution is to limit these drinks, which will benefit both your oral health and your overall health.
A healthy diet can protect your smile from damage. Enjoy your favourite foods, but take precautions to limit their unwanted effect on the whiteness of your smile.
This article is for information only and does not replace an examination by a dentist.
