The Worst Enemies To White Teeth
The worst enemies to white teeth are not just certain foods and drinks, but also factors such as age and what medication you take. While age is a factor you cannot control, you can avoid unhealthy drinks, foods, and substances that stain teeth. For one, everyone knows that chocolates and sweets are harmful to white teeth. These products damage the tooth enamel and stain teeth, making them vulnerable to serious dental diseases. Here is a short list of products that are definitely foes of white teeth..
Tea and coffee are enemies of your teeth. Black tea of the teas is the only truly unhealthy one. All kinds of coffee will inflict damage on the enamel. You should be serious about giving special attention to the color of your teeth. Drinking too much black tea and coffee and using tobacco products causes tooth darkening, staining, and tooth discoloration. It is best to quit drinking coffee and black tea or at least limit their consumption. If you cannot do this, add some milk to your cup of coffee or tea. Milk reduces the negative effect of tannin on your teeth.
Carbonated drinks are another big enemy. The reason is that they are usually loaded with sugar, which damages the tooth enamel because it encourages plaque to form and accumulate. The acidic content of these beverages is also damaging to your teeth.
Citrus fruit is generally healthy, but if you eat it every day, it can be harmful to the tooth enamel. The reason is that citrus fruit are rich in acids which soften and erode the enamel, making it unhealthy and weaker. If citrus fruit is present in your daily menu, it is a good idea to use mouthwash after having them and drink fruit juices with a straw.
This may come as a surprise, but diet pills are an enemy too. They work toward weight loss by lowering the amount of saliva the glands produce, resulting in a dry mouth. A dry mouth on the other hand, is a fertile environment for the development of plaque and bacteria, causing tooth decay.
Wine is one more drink to discuss. Apart from being a natural antiseptic, wine reduces plaque formation, thus preventing tooth decay. However, wine has high sugar and acidic content, which harms the tooth enamel. If you consume wine often, it will result in tooth staining. Other food products that stain teeth include balsamic vinegar, curry, soy sauce, popsicles, tomato sauce, beets, etc. Take tomato sauce, for example. While Italian food does not taste the same without it, tomato sauce is highly acidic and stains teeth. To prevent staining, have a lettuce or spinach salad, before you eat pasta or pizza. They both work to form a protective layer on your teeth, reducing the extent of staining.