Nowadays, it is fashionable to have perfectly white teeth. Over time, various things can stain and darken the colour of your teeth. The food you eat, the vices you have picked up growing up, medication all contribute toward teeth discoloration. Although the colour of your teeth is not an indication of poor oral cleaning habits, many people think it is. They associate stained teeth with poor dental care and health.
That is why white teeth are so desirable. Many people spend precious dollars on products that promise to whiten teeth. However, dentists appeal to the public not to waste their money on teeth whitening products available in supermarkets across Australia. They are either ineffective or can permanently destroy the enamel, the hard top layer of the teeth. Instead, go to cosmetic dentists who know teeth and have been trained to whiten teeth without destroying the enamel.
They utilise a chemical process that bleaches the teeth. Solutions are applied inside the clinic under the supervision of an expert, or clients are sent home with a system that will be applied as directed.
Do remember that teeth whitening is not permanent. While you would not be able to wash off the whiteness, you can still stain your teeth over time and in the same ways. If you want to retain the whiteness of your teeth, here are the things you should avoid eating after the procedure.
Blueberries and Dark Chocolate
Unfortunately, everything that is dark is out of the question. That includes berries and chocolates. Immediately after the procedure, you will be prohibited from munching on blueberries, beetroot, or dark chocolate. Even red-coloured sauces should be avoided. Swap it, instead, with white sauces to ensure that your teeth would not pick up any unwanted tints.
Coffee and Cola
You should also stay away from drinking beverages that have a dark tint. After the procedure, you should not drink coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and soda.
Like any pasta dish with red sauces, red wine is not advisable, either. Short-term, it can turn your teeth purple. After a while, if red wine becomes a part of your nightly ritual, your teeth will begin to look brown or grey. It is best to stay away from red wine after you get your teeth whitened.
Oranges
Oranges will not turn your teeth orange, but their natural acids can harm your teeth’s enamel in the long run and lead to discoloration.
Fruits that are acidic such as oranges, lemons, grapes, and cranberries, should be removed from your diet or, at least, be consumed in small portions. Acidic fruits can alter the pH concentration of your saliva, which is naturally low. High pH saliva, which is acidic, can harm the enamel of your teeth. Moreover, it might weaken the whitening solution applied to your teeth, making the whole procedure ineffective.
Vinegar that is used in salad dressings should be reduced. It is also acidic and has the same effect as oranges on your teeth.
What to Eat Instead
If there are many foods that you cannot eat, there are, of course, foods that are good for your teeth. Leafy greens such as spinach and kale can remove staining if eaten raw. Green, after all, neutralises red because they are placed at the opposite sides of the colour wheel.
Although their colours are red, strawberries and watermelon will help whiten your teeth. Both fruits contain what is called malic acid, which promotes saliva production. Saliva protects the teeth from tooth decay, a cause of teeth discoloration. In addition, malic acid has bleaching properties, naturally whitening the teeth with every bite. Some also believe that the texture of watermelon removes stains by scrubbing the teeth, but no scientific studies have proven it yet.
Milk is not only good for strengthening your teeth; it helps maintain the brightness of your smile. Lactic acid works like mandelic acid, boosting the production of saliva and preventing tooth decay. Moreover, casein, which is a protein bountiful in milk, binds to polyphenols and prevents tannins in tea from sticking onto teeth, according to a study from 2014. Other dairy products like cheese and yoghurt also help lighten teeth.
The aftercare for your whiter teeth lasts forever. Food can still stain your teeth a year or a decade after the procedure. You cannot avoid eating blueberries or chocolates for the rest of your life, nor should you. So now that you know which food can stain your teeth, remember to drink lots of water after to wash the colour away or brush your teeth immediately after.
