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What is the colour of your tongue after you eat beet root? Purple. What’s the colour of your tongue after you eat green-coloured candies? Green, right!
Just imagine that how strongly pigmented these foods are, whether naturally or artificially, that they stain your tongue. Don’t you think that these foods can even stain your teeth? Yes, they can. Pigmented and certain other foods and beverages do result in teeth discolouration eventually, after continuous consumption. The best way to prevent tooth staining and discolouration is by avoiding or at least limiting the consumption of the following foods.
Teas and Coffees
Teas, especially black tea, and coffee, especially black coffee, will stain your teeth. These drinks are very dark and are also full of tannins. Dark pigments and tannins can slowly make your teeth appear yellowish. Our dentists recommend switching to green or white tea and limiting coffee sipping throughout the day to avoid discolouration.
Saucy and Curried Foods
Sauces like soy sauce and red sauce contain excessively pigmented compounds. These compounds are stain-causing in nature. Likewise, the main components of curries – turmeric and red chilli powder, also result in stains and cause discolouration in your teeth. Although you can’t stop or even cut down the consumption of curried foods and those with various sauces, you can drink a glass of water or brush your teeth after every meal to avoid any discolouration.
Berries
We all know that berries are beneficial for our overall as well as oral health, thanks to the high antioxidant content. The deep hue in blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and blackberries are also known to discolour and stain your teeth. Whether you eat these berries directly or consume in the form of juices or jams, they will still affect your white pearls. Therefore, cut down on berries as well. Or as directed by our dentists, you can even use a straw to sip berry juices.
Candies and Sweets
Those candies and sweets that are highly coloured can eventually stain your teeth. Hard candies, lollipops, colourful chewing gums, and popsicles contain artificial colouring agents that can easily enter the porous surface of your tooth enamel and leave their marks behind. Apart from tooth discoloration, continuous consumption of these sweets may also result in enamel erosion, decay, cavities, and even gum diseases. Thus, it is better to avoid these things or follow a strict oral hygiene routine along with these.
Although they can’t be classified as foods, tobacco chewing and smoking also discolour your teeth. Tar in nicotine reacts with oxygen to form brownish or yellowish marks on your teeth. That’s why our dentists suggest stopping tobacco consumption in any form.
