Many people desire a whiter, brighter smile. A professional whitening treatment is one way that you can get a dazzling white smile. However, getting a white smile is only a part of the equation. You need to know how to keep your smile white and sparkling.

To do that, you should brush and floss your teeth as recommended. Additionally, you should watch what you consume. Stains are lurking everywhere, even in your beloved foods and treats.

Coffee and Tea

Coffee is the go-to drink for many of us. With the added benefit of caffeine, it is a comforting way to ease into the day. Unfortunately, it may be one of the main reasons your teeth are lacking their luster. You may think that tea is a good substitute if coffee is off the table. However, tea can stain your teeth in a similar manner.

Both coffee and tea contain tannins that contribute to the discoloration of your teeth. While they are both dark liquids, the tannins allow the stains to travel further into your teeth. This makes it difficult to remove the discoloration. Rather than becoming surface-level stains, the color gets deep within your teeth. You may need a professional whitening treatment or tooth-colored resin to resolve the discoloration. 

If removing coffee and tea is not an option, you can consider minimizing your intake. Drinking these with a straw can limit the exposure to your teeth, reducing the staining. If you drink tea, you can add milk to dilute its staining qualities. Some studies suggest that milk can help minimize tea’s ability to stain your teeth. It is possible that it is because milk contains proteins that help protect your teeth. 

Red Wine

Red wine is a popular beverage for celebrations and hard days. Unfortunately, it is likely to stain your teeth. If you drink wine often, you may be familiar with the purple hue that red wine leaves behind on your teeth. This is because red wine also contains tannins—just like coffee and tea. Red wine also contains acid that can damage your enamel. 

Enamel is the protective layer on the outside of your teeth. It is what gives your teeth their whitish color. When damaged, the enamel cannot protect against decay or stains. Therefore, damage allows for stains to move beyond the surface and deeper within your teeth. Not only does wine leave behind surface stains, but it can also create deep, set-in stains. 

Tomato-based Sauces

If you are a fan of tomato-based sauces or soups, you may have to choose between a white smile and your favorite pasta. Tomato contains acid that can damage your enamel and leave behind stains.

At some point, you may have probably cooked some dish that included tomato. If you put this in a clear plastic container, you may notice that it leaves behind a red or orange hue. This is because the acids help it cling to the surface. Unfortunately, this is what happens to your teeth. 

If it can stain your clothes, it can stain your teeth.