Are You Eating and Drinking These Foods That Stain Your Teeth?

Nothing is more inviting to others than a vibrant smile. So what can you do if your teeth start to look yellow, discolored, or dingy? 

The hard truth is that teeth often get discolored over time, even if you practice the best oral hygiene habits. But all is not lost. Our cosmetic and family dentistry experts at Arya Dental offer in-office teeth whitening as well as at-home treatments so you can brighten your smile and restore your self-confidence again. 

Professional teeth whitening is painless, safe, and leaves you with natural-looking results. Are your teeth stained? Here’s what could be behind the problem — especially the foods you’re eating and beverages you’re drinking — and how to get your pearly whites back. 

Why teeth stain

Unfortunately, teeth naturally lose their white sheen and develop stains, discoloration, and a duller appearance with time. This occurs for several reasons, including some beyond your control, like aging and genetic predisposition.

But there is one area you can control — the major role your daily habits play in staining your teeth. Do any of the following look familiar?

Food and drink

Did you know the food you eat and beverages you drink affect the color of your teeth? In fact, certain ones can stain your teeth more than others, such as:

• Cola and colored sodas
• Red wine
• Coffee and tea
• Sports drinks
• Chocolate
• Curry
• Berries: blueberries, blackberries, cherries, raspberries, pomegranates
• Tomato sauce
• Soy sauce

Also, eating a diet high in added sugar also impacts oral health over time, even causing your teeth to appear yellow.

Tobacco

You likely know that smoking and chewing tobacco aren’t good for your body, but these products also cause tooth stains. Regular smokers and tobacco consumers are much more likely to have tooth discoloration and staining than nonsmokers.

Poor oral hygiene

Good dental care does wonders for your smile, especially when it comes to stains. If you’re not brushing twice daily and flossing daily, your chances are higher for tooth staining. Skipping routine dental cleanings also causes more stains to build up. Visiting your dentist twice a year helps prevent staining and dental problems.

Restoring your pearly whites

The good news is that you can improve the appearance of your teeth with a simple professional teeth whitening appointment. At Arya Dental, we offer in-office Zoom® whitening treatment. This is the leading teeth whitening treatment designed to whiten your teeth in a single session, leaving you with a brighter, more vibrant smile.

After preparing and protecting your teeth and gums with a mouthguard, we apply a hydrogen peroxide-based gel to your teeth. We then use a special light to activate the hydrogen peroxide and remove the stains in your enamel and dentin. Finally, we administer a five-minute protective fluoride treatment.

This in-office treatment takes 45 minutes and can whiten your teeth by up to 8 shades. However, you can get equally dramatic results with our at-home Zoom treatments; it just takes longer.

Once your smile is whiter and brighter again, you can retain the effects by limiting or avoiding those staining foods and drinks and adopting lifestyle habits that reduce your chances of tooth staining — for example, brushing and flossing regularly and quitting tobacco use. 

Are you ready to restore your pearly whites? Call our office in Fullerton, California, or use our online appointment tool to schedule a consultation with one of our talented dentists today.