Teeth whitening has become a popular cosmetic procedure over the last decade, and it seems that we just can’t seem to get our teeth white enough. In America, we spend over $1.4 billion each year on tooth whitening products. In fact, tooth whitening has even increased by 300 percent over the last few years. If you’ve been trying to keep your pearly whites as white as possible, you might find it frustrating when you see yellow teeth shining back at you in the mirror; however, have you ever considered that your diet could be to blame?
While everyone knows that coffee, tea and smoking are the most common stain-producing culprits, here are some lesser known foods and beverages that could be keeping you from a brighter smile.
Common Stain-Producing Culprits:
1. Sports drinks
After a great weightlifting session or a strenuous run through the park, you might feel proud of yourself for grabbing a sports drink over soda or juice; however, sports drinks are actually highly acidic, which can cause enamel erosion. Plus, most sports drinks are loaded with sugar, which we know wreaks havoc on your teeth. If you just can’t part with your favorite sports drinks, then the best thing you can do is drink it quickly rather than sipping it. At least then your smile won’t be exposed to the acid and sugar for quite as long.
2. White wine
Everyone seems pretty well aware that red wine can stain your teeth; however, white wine might actually cause more damage than originally thought. The chemicals found in white wine can darken teeth and strip your teeth of its healthy enamel. If you do plan to indulge in a glass of white wine, wait at least a half hour before brushing your teeth so you don’t risk pushing those chemicals onto other surfaces of your teeth. The best thing you can do is wash your mouth out with water after consuming a glass.
3. Peanut butter
This sticky treat is often packed full of sugar, which makes this a double whammy for your teeth. The peanut butter will feed the bacteria and also stick to your smile, causing stains and enamel erosion. If you can’t part with your peanut butter, then try to only purchase brands that contain no added sugar.
Call Murphy Dental Group, PLLC Today!
If you don’t know what’s causing the discolorations in your smile, give us a call. We can sit down with you and pinpoint what things in your diet could be causing problems for your teeth. Plus, we can discuss whether teeth whitening could benefit you and your smile. In the meantime, keep these foods and drinks out of your diet and you’ll notice a difference.
Are you a patient of Murphy Dental Group, PLLC? If so, we would love to hear about your experiences below!