Avoid These Foods to Have Whiter Teeth

Teeth are naturally white, but over time, foods and lifestyle habits can turn that white to a more yellow or gray color. Teeth whitening can restore your teeth to their natural color, but you may need to avoid staining foods to keep your smile looking newly whitened.

Some of the biggest offenders when it comes to tooth staining include:

• Berries, such as cherries, grapes, pomegranates, blueberries, blackberries and cranberries
• Tea, which is high in tannins
• Coffee, which is highly acidic and can erode teeth and expose the yellow or brown dentin beneath the enamel
• Wine, including both red and white, which contain tannins and acids that can discolor and erode teeth
• Candy, which contains dyes that can seep into the enamel and sugars, which can erode the teeth
• Soda and energy drinks, which contain acids and dyes that can discolor and damage teeth
• Juices, which may contain both natural and artificial colors as well as high levels of acid that can erode teeth 

You can minimize the damage by using a straw with staining drinks and rinsing with water after enjoying any staining substance. Avoid brushing immediately after a sweet treat since the acids can soften the enamel and leave it prone to damage, but try to brush about half an hour later to remove plaque and acid-producing bacteria. Call us today to find out more or to schedule an appointment with our expert in teeth whitening in Los Angeles.

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