Keeping your pearly whites bright and stain-free isn’t an especially difficult process; however, stains can occur for a number of reasons, even in the midst of excellent oral hygiene, and understanding their development can help you better protect your smile. Aside from brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day, your Astoria cosmetic dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, also advises taking care with the food and beverages you consume, which are the most frequent sources of cosmetic tooth stains.
Foods & Beverages Most Likely to Stain
- Wine—Red wine is a somewhat obvious candidate for stained teeth, but white wine isn’t the safer option that many people believe it is. The chromogens, or color molecules, in red wine are darker than those in white, but both beverages are highly acidic and weaken your tooth enamel, making it easier for chromogens to cling to your teeth’s surface.
- Coffee and tea—Like red wine, coffee and tea’s dark composures make them prime suspects in tooth staining. In a twist, studies have shown that coffee and tea contain powerful antioxidants that help fight free-radicals and other disease-causing agents. However, their benefits don’t negate their staining abilities, so Dr. Leibowitz recommends drinking coffee and tea in moderation.
- Berries—If you’ve ever spilled a berry’s juice on your white shirt or tablecloth, then you may be familiar with their ability to stain. Juices, pies, and other foods made with berries can also contribute to an increased risk of stains.
- Sweets—Hopefully, you already know that eating too much sugar increases your risks of tooth decay and cavities. Oral bacteria convert sugar into acid that erodes tooth enamel, but before tooth decay develops, the weakened enamel can exhibit increased staining.
Minimize & Erase Tooth Stains with Your Astoria Cosmetic Dentist
You don’t have to completely give up your favorite treats and beverages to keep your smile bright. Drinking beverages through a straw reduces your teeth’s exposure to acid, sugar, and stain-causing chromogens, while drinking or rinsing your mouth with water can neutralize acid and rinse away color molecules. If your teeth are already stained and would like to learn about our professional teeth-whitening options, then schedule a consultation with Dr. Leibowitz by calling our Astoria cosmetic dentist’s office today at (718) 728-8320. Located in the 11106 area, we proudly serve patients from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding communities.
