5 Foods and Drinks That Discolour Your Teeth (and What To Do About It)

Tips for a Whiter Smile

A radiant, white smile is a symbol of health and confidence. While nothing can replace regular daily oral hygiene practices, the foods and drinks we choose can also have an effect on the whiteness of our teeth.

Today we’re looking at five foods and drinks that we commonly consume in North America that can yellow or darken your teeth. If these are some of your favourites, don’t worry – we’ll provide you a few tips along the way to keep your smile bright and crisp.

Foods and Drinks That Discolour Your Teeth:

1. Coffee:

Coffee contains dark pigments and tannins that can stain your teeth over time. It’s one of our favourites all year round, but can darken your teeth.

• Cold brew has a lower polyphenol count than hot coffee, which will lead to less staining – good news for iced coffee drinkers!
• Brush after drinking coffee or rinse with water to reduce the impact to your teeth

2. Tea:

Black tea, in particular, contains tannins that can cause discolouration. Here’s some tips for tea drinkers – we know there’s a lot of tea fans as well!

• Choose lighter teas like green tea or herbal teas. They often have lower tannin content, so their effect will be less intense.
• Add milk to your tea to counteract the tannins.

3. Red Wine:

Red wine has two strikes against it: it’s acidic, and has dark pigmentation – both of which can lead to teeth stains. If you love wine, here’s a couple tips:

• Drink water alongside red wine to wash away the pigments and acidity. It also reduces hangovers. Win-win!
• Swap for white wine once in a while. It has fewer staining pigments, and it’s great chilled in the summer.

4. Tomato Sauce:

Like red wine, tomato sauce is both acidic and rich in colour. It can lead to darkening of your teeth if you’re not careful. We love a good pasta as much as anybody, so try this:

• Pair tomato sauce with vegetables, such as broccoli or spinach, to help reduce tomato contact with your teeth as you chew.
• Drink lots when you’re eating pasta to wash away the tomato sauce, and no – washing it down with red wine won’t really help.

Bonus tip for caesar lovers: Use a straw when consuming tomato-based beverages like caesars to minimize contact with your teeth! We also recommend straws for pop, if you must indulge 😉

5. Soy Sauce:

If you love Asian cuisine, soy sauce is almost unavoidable. It’s used for flavour in many dishes, and is a popular topping or dipping sauce for many popular dishes. However, its dark colour can leave stains on your teeth, especially when paired with acidic vinegars common in Asian cooking. Here’s what we recommend:

• Use soy sauce sparingly or opt for reduced-sodium alternatives.
• Combine it with other flavours and ingredients to reduce direct contact with your teeth.
• Drink lots of water during your meal to rinse away soy sauce.
• Chew sugar-free gum after consuming soy sauce to stimulate saliva production and wash away those pigments.

Here’s Some General Tips for Maintaining a Whiter Smile:

In addition to addressing the specific foods and drinks mentioned above, here are general tips to counteract tooth discolouration and keep that smile bright:

Good Daily Oral Hygiene Habits:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a whitening toothpaste and floss regularly to remove plaque and surface stains. Try and brush right after dinner for foods like the ones on our list.

Rinse Your Mouth:

After consuming foods and drinks that may cause staining, rinse your mouth with water to help remove any residue and clean your teeth.

Drink Water During Meals:

This is one we recommend for all the foods and drinks on our list since it’s an easy step we can all take to keep our smiles white. Drinking lots of water during meals keeps staining foods away from our teeth and dilutes rich pigments and acids.

Come See Us for In-office Whitening.

Getting your teeth whitened at a dental hygiene clinic is a great way to offset the effects of our North American diet. Come see us at Vivid Smiles for a free assessment to find out if you’re eligible for whitening services! Here’s where you can find out more information about our $275 teeth whitening service.

Schedule Regular Teeth Cleanings:

Seeing your dental hygienist for regular cleanings can effectively remove stubborn stains and tartar buildup, promoting a brighter smile. Maintenance is a huge help when it comes to teeth whitening, as cavities and tartar buildup give tannins, pigments and acids more footholds to attack your teeth.

A beautiful smile starts with proactive dental care and making informed choices to keep your teeth healthy and white for many years to come.

By keeping an eye on what you’re eating (and subscribing for helpful tips like these), you can protect your teeth from discolouration. Remember to keep up those daily dental care habits, including brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular cleanings to keep your smile bright and healthy.