How to Prevent Stains on Your Teeth

Stained, yellow teeth can stop a beautiful smile in its tracks. No matter how attractive the person, or how tailored the outfit, seeing stains on teeth can immediately diminish the appearance. To prevent stains from forming, it’s important to identify the culprits and practice good oral hygiene habits. Here are a few of the common causes of stained teeth and how to avoid them:

Food Known to Stain Teeth

If something you’re eating or drinking can leave a stained mark on clothing, it can do the same thing to teeth. Here are some of the foods most known to stain teeth:

• Tea
• Coffee
• Soda
• Red wine
• Grape juice
• Blueberries
• Soy sauce
• Beets
• Tomato sauce

While completely avoiding these foods and drinks may be a little drastic to avoid stained teeth, it is a good idea to thoroughly brush or rinse with a good oral rinse or mouthwash immediately after consuming them.

Foods that Help Prevent Stained Teeth

Some common fruits and vegetables help oral health by gently scrubbing teeth and creating saliva to counteract the acid in the mouth. These stain-preventing foods include:

• Apples
• Celery
• Cauliflower
• Carrots
• Some hard cheeses

Tips to Keep Teeth White

In addition to eating fruits and vegetables that help prevent stains on teeth, there are a few other things that can help. These include:

• Drinking soda, juices and iced drinks with a straw. The straw helps to keep the drink away from the front of the mouth, where the teeth stains are most visible.
• Brush teeth at least twice a day to remove plaque, floss on a daily basis and use a good oral mouth rinse to fight off bacteria.
• Visit the dentist at least twice a year and get teeth professionally cleaned.
• Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco, which can cause teeth to stain quickly.

Additional Things to Whiten Teeth

Particularly stubborn stains may be harder to remove and can require additional treatments. Consider consulting with a professional dentist about the following options:

• At-home whitening kits: available in most local drugstores and online, whitening kits can be a great resource to remove stains. There are even options for touch-up jobs and sensitive teeth.
• Specialized toothpastes and oral rinses: for best results, look for a brand that guarantees fresher breath with whiter teeth at a clinical level strength. Choose toothpaste that offers whiter teeth, fresher breath and antimicrobial elements to ward off plaque and bacteria.
• Professional whitening: Many dental offices provide professional teeth whitening. Consult a local dentist to find out more information about the particular process they choose. This process may take place over several different visits to achieve the desired results.

There are many ways to prevent stains on teeth, as seen above. But the best way is to continually practice good oral hygiene habits. Brush teeth at least twice a day (if not after every meal), floss at least once a day, and use a good clinical strength oral rinse to help keep plaque and bacteria at bay. By practicing good oral hygiene skills, teeth are better able to ward off nasty yellow stains and can showcase a beautiful, healthy smile.

Taking care of your teeth does more than preserve your smile. Healthy teeth and gums can be the first line of defense against many common illnesses. A daily cleaning regimen, and the use of Xylitol-containing products – along with regular visits to the dentist – will protect your teeth, and your health.