The first step to maintaining a healthy smile is to practice good oral hygiene. Beyond that, there is more you can do. Certain foods and beverages can cause your teeth to discolor, so it’s a good idea to make sure you pay attention to what you eat and drink as well. Everything your teeth encounter has the potential to affect them in some way, so be sure to stay away from things that are going to affect them negatively.
Pasta Sauce
Because of their high acidity and bright red color, the tomatoes in pasta sauce have the potential to stain your teeth. Tomatoes also have a tendency to stick to teeth. Munching on some dark green veggies like broccoli, kale, or spinach first. This will create a bit of a protective layer over your teeth. This layer will help keep the staining effects of the tomatoes at bay. For example, if you’re having spaghetti for dinner you can eat a green salad as an appetizer. That’s good for your overall health as well as your oral health!
Curry
Curry is a spice that blends very well in Indian food and other exotic dishes. It can also stain your teeth. Over time, the deep yellow hue of the curry can cause your teeth to yellow. Because of this high potential for staining, you should probably limit how much curry you consume. Whenever you decide to enjoy some curry, throw in some fresh fruits and veggies that combat staining, such as apples, carrots, cauliflower, and celery.
Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is a healthy and delicious salad dressing, but it can cause your teeth to darken. Why? Because it is naturally very dark in color. It can also stick to and stain your teeth if it’s not brushed off right away. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use balsamic vinegar. If you’re going to be using it on your salad, opt for a super crunchy lettuce. Chewing on the lettuce will help get some of the balsamic vinegar off of your teeth so it can’t stain them.
Berries
Berries are a delicious and healthy snack, especially for the summer time. Unfortunately, they can also stain your teeth if you’re not careful. The deep, dark colors of blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and blackberries in particular can cause staining. It doesn’t matter whether they are whole, in a juice, or processed into jelly or jam. To combat their staining effects, simply drink water to prevent the berry juice from sitting on your teeth for too long.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Oral Health Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online.
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