Foods That Stain Your Teeth

We brush our teeth and eat food daily. We know that the food we eat can affect our teeth. Too much sugar can lead to tooth decay. But what are some foods that can change the color of your teeth? Here is a list of 10 foods that can turn your teeth a different color or stain your teeth. You will be surprised at some of the food on the list.

Ten Foods That Change Your Teeth Color

1. Coffee – Many people will brush their teeth in the mornings and then immediately grab a cup of coffee on their way to work. After brushing, your teeth are porous and will more easily absorb the liquid you drink. The dark color of coffee will stain your teeth and turn your teeth yellow. You can reduce the staining of your teeth by adding some milk to your coffee to lighten the color of your coffee.

2. Tea – People hoping to prevent coffee stains on their teeth will switch to drinking tea. However, since tea contains tannins, it will also contain your teeth as well, depending on the tea variety you prefer. The darker the tea, the more likely it will stain your teeth. Selecting green or white tea over dark teas will stain your teeth less.

3. Soda – Sodas are super bad for you. Sodas contain large amounts of sugar and will give bacteria plenty to feed leading to acid production. Sodas are also acidic due to it being carbonated. These things create an environment that can lead to tooth decay. But mostly all sodas contain colors that can also stain teeth.

4. Dark juices – Juices with dark pigments such as grape and cranberry are just as bad as sodas. Juices contain sugars and acids that can erode and decay teeth. But drinking dark colored juices can stain teeth as well.

5. Soy sauce – Though soy sauce pairs great with sushi and is great in Asian cuisine, it can also stain your teeth. Because of the dark color of soy sauce, it can linger after your meal.

6. Balsamic vinegar – The stickiness of balsamic vinegar can latch onto teeth and lead to staining.

7. Tomato sauce – Not only are tomatoes acidic and cause enamel erosion, it can cause teeth staining.

8. Blueberries, blackberries, and pomegranates – These berries contain lots of antioxidants, but can seriously stain teeth.

9. Beets – Beetroots not only stain your hands and the chopping board, it can affect the pearly white teeth.

10. Red Wine – Red wine can turn teeth shades of gray, which is harder to remove than yellowish stains. Tannins present in teas are what also cause the stains seen with red wine.

If you have stains on your teeth and would like to discuss whitening options, please contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 for further information.