Habits that lead to stained teeth

As always when it comes to your teeth, prevention is better than cure. The best way to keep your smile looking bright is to avoid consuming staining substances in the first place. And if you've just undergone teeth whitening or are thinking about seeking it in the future, avoiding stains can help you get the most out of your treatment.
So what can cause teeth to stain?

1. Drinks
Coffee, red wine and tea
Coffee is well known for staining teeth. If you drink it regularly and don't rinse your mouth with water after drinking it, dark pigments called chromogens in coffee can stick to the enamel surface of teeth.
Red wine is another cause of stained teeth, sipping water intermittently is recommended to help reduce the staining effect.
Black tea is usually high in staining tannins that may lead to more staining than coffee.
 
2. Foods
Foods that could stain teeth include brightly coloured berries, beetroot, sticky lollies and dishes with richly coloured sauces. Think curry sauces, tomato-based sauces and soy sauce.
 
3. Drinking acidic beverages
If you thought white wine was a stain-free alternative to red, think again. The acidity of some wines can soften tooth enamel, making teeth more prone to stains from other food and drink. Carbonated soft drinks and sports drinks can also lead to dental stains - these can have substantial quantities of acid, sugar and pigments.
 
5. Not drinking enough water
Drinking the recommended quantity of water throughout the day is important for hydration, but it can also help to remove stains by rinsing away staining substances left on the teeth. If you live in a fluoridated area, drinking tap water with fluoride can also help to protect your teeth against decay.3
 
6. Smoking
There are many health reasons to quit smoking already, but tobacco is also a major cause of teeth stains, whether it's smoked or chewed. Besides stains, smoking is one of the common risk factors for many oral health problems, including gum disease and oral cancer. The sooner you can quit, the sooner your body can start to recover.
 
7. Not brushing and flossing your teeth
Dental plaque that forms on the surfaces of teeth tends to retain the stains, and good oral hygiene helps reduce the build-up of plaque. We recommend brushing teeth twice a day, preferably using fluoride toothpaste, and using dental floss at least once a day. 

8. Mouthrinses
Not commonly known is the staining effect from using mouth rinses. Not all mouth rinses cause staining, but there are a few products, such as savacol, that can cause staining to the teeth. 

As always ask your dentist or hygienist for more information at your next appointment or call us on 07 4275 3366