Avoid These Foods To Keep Your Smile White and Bright

50% of people report noticing others’ smiles before anything else. And the more confident you feel about your teeth, the more likely you’ll feel at ease smiling. If you’re concerned about the color of your pearly whites, it’s time to rethink your eating habits. 

Our expert team at Swinney Dental in Tyler, Texas, offers Philips Zoom® teeth whitening treatments in our office, as well as professional-grade whitening kits to use at home to help you feel more confident about your smile.

Whether you’d like to maintain your teeth whitening results, halt discoloration, or prevent staining over time, consider the following information, including the foods most likely to stain your teeth. 

What causes tooth discoloration

Your teeth are porous, meaning they have microscopic holes that readily absorb particles. Given that, a range of factors can fuel tooth discoloration, including:

• Genetics
• Increasing age
• Environmental factors
• Your diet

Dental emergencies and decay can also lead to yellowish or grayish hues. 

Foods that discolor your teeth

Foods affect tooth color to varying degrees based on factors like your overall health, age, and lifestyle. 

Foods to limit or avoid for a whiter and brighter smile include:

• Bright fruits, like cherries, blueberries, and pomegranates
• Coffee and dark teas
• Colorful sauces, such as tomato sauce, soy sauce, and curries
• Dark or brightly colored popsicles
• Dark chocolate
• Dark soft drinks, such as colas
• Red wine

Other dishes and beverages indirectly detract from tooth whiteness by wearing away the outer layer (enamel). Examples include sugary items like sports drinks, hard candy, and sugar-containing gum.

Other ways to promote whiter teeth

Given that many tooth-staining foods are nutritious or delicious, there’s no need to eliminate them from your diet completely. Embracing some smart new habits can go far. 

Schedule routine dental cleanings, which can do far more to keep your teeth sparkling and clean than you can do on your own. Speaking of which, your oral hygiene habits at home matter, so don’t skip brushing twice a day and flossing well daily. Quitting smoking and brushing your teeth about 60 minutes after consuming staining foods can also limit stains. 

If you’re unhappy with the color of your teeth, consider our teeth whitening treatments. Zoom teeth whitening treatments and at-home kits can lighten discolored teeth by up to 13 shades. 

To learn more about tooth discoloration or schedule cosmetic or wellness dental care, call Swinney Dental today. You can also set an appointment using our convenient online booking feature.