At Dental Restorative Group in Massachusetts, we want our patients in Cambridge and Belmont to be as informed as possible, so we’ve compiled a list of 10 popular foods known to stain teeth. We recommend you avoid them or brush them diligently after consuming these foods.
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Coffee
How Coffee Stains Tooth Enamel
Many Cambridge patients love their coffee, but coffee has long been known to stain tooth enamel. Coffee also alters the mouth’s pH balance, making your teeth more vulnerable to staining by other foods. Some solutions include drinking coffee with a to-go lid or using a straw to prevent the coffee from coming into direct contact with your teeth as much as possible.Â
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Candy and Sweets
Sugar, Acidity, and Discoloration
Sugar causes tooth decay and creates an acidic environment in the mouth that makes your teeth more prone to staining and discoloration while also producing plaque buildup and cavities.Â
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Citrus Fruits
Even healthy fruits can affect a Cambridge patient’s delicate tooth enamel, and again, the acids from citrus fruit create an acidic oral environment that may weaken dental enamel and make it more prone to staining.
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Soft Drinks
Sugary drinks produce the same damage as sugary snacks, increasing oral acidity and encouraging the growth of harmful bacteria. Even sugar-free soft drinks are harmful, however, because carbonated drinks cause tooth enamel wearing, making it more vulnerable to staining.
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Teas
Teas and Tannins That Stain Teeth
Many black, green, and herbal teas contain tannins, which naturally stain teeth and gums. Green tea leaves a dull gray stain on teeth, while black tea leaves yellowish stains, but even such herbal teas as chamomile and hibiscus may cause staining and discoloration if regularly consumed over time. Some studies suggest that adding a splash of milk or cream to your tea may reduce its tendency to stain your teeth.
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Berries
Berries, Red Wine, and Tomato Sauce
While berries are healthy, and we highly recommend you include them in your diet, they are known to stain dental enamel. One solution is to consume them in a smoothie mixed with milk or yogurt. You can further avoid dental staining if you drink this with a straw.
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Red Wine
Red wine leaves a dull gray residue on tooth enamel, thanks to tannins such as those in tea and coffee, as well as acids that affect oral pH; however, recent studies indicate that the antioxidants in red wine may help prevent cavities. So, enjoy a glass of wine, but brush diligently afterward.
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Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce causes acidity in the oral environment, making teeth more vulnerable to staining and discoloration. One solution is to enjoy a raw vegetable salad or munch on raw broccoli, cauliflower, kale, or spinach before digging into a plate of spaghetti or pizza, as these veggies create a protective environment that may protect teeth from staining.Â
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Curry
With its high turmeric content, Curry produces yellow stains over time. Combine it with raw fruits and vegetables that help prevent stains, such as apples, carrots, cauliflower, and celery when eating curry.
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Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar can also darken your teeth due to its natural color and acid content, which may encourage staining from other foods. Eating raw veggies with balsamic vinegar will help, but be sure to brush shortly afterward for best results.
Ask About Teeth Whitening in Cambridge
If you want to learn how to have brighter, whiter teeth, contact Dental Restorative Group at our Cambridge office today to schedule a consultation at (617) 492-5081.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What foods and drinks stain teeth the most?
Common culprits include coffee, candy and sweets, citrus fruits, soft drinks, teas, berries, red wine, tomato sauce, curry, and balsamic vinegar. Some stain because of pigment or tannins, while others raise acidity in the mouth and leave enamel more vulnerable to discoloration.
Does coffee really stain your teeth?
Coffee has long been known to stain tooth enamel, and it also alters the pH balance of the mouth, making your teeth more vulnerable to staining by other foods. Drinking coffee with a to-go lid or through a straw limits contact with your teeth.
Does tea stain teeth as much as coffee?
Black, green, and herbal teas contain tannins that naturally stain teeth and gums. Green tea can leave a dull gray stain, while black tea tends to leave yellowish stains. Some studies suggest a splash of milk or cream may reduce tea staining.
How can I eat berries and tomato sauce without staining my teeth?
Berries are healthy and worth keeping in your diet. Blending them into a smoothie with milk or yogurt, and drinking it through a straw, limits contact with enamel. Before pasta or pizza, eating raw vegetables such as broccoli or kale may help protect teeth.
Should I brush right after drinking wine or coffee?
Brushing diligently after eating or drinking staining items is a habit we recommend. Red wine, citrus, and balsamic vinegar are acidic as well as pigmented, so many people prefer to rinse with water first and then brush shortly afterward for the best results.
Can teeth whitening remove stains from food and drink?
Professional whitening can address many of the surface stains that foods and beverages leave behind. What is possible depends on the type of discoloration and your dental health, so the first step is a consultation at our Cambridge office to discuss your options.
