If you’re eating these five common teeth-staining foods, you’ve probably noticed your teeth are looking a little dingier than they should. We’re here to help you smile brighter! Keep reading to learn how you may unknowingly be exposing your teeth to highly-pigmented foods, and what you can do about it (hint: professional teeth whitening in Fayetteville is a wonderful option!).

#1: Blueberries

Yes, their antioxidants make them excellent for your overall health — but it won’t come as a surprise that the same dark, beautiful blueberries are also serious smile stainers. We don’t want you to eliminate them from your diet, but you can take steps to make sure they’re not sticking around for too long near your white tooth enamel: rinse your mouth with water after eating, or consume these and other dark berries with milk or yogurt, which will provide a protective shield over the tooth enamel.

#2: Tomatoey Pasta Sauce

It’s not just the red wine you consume with your evening pasta dish that’s staining your teeth. The tomatoes in pasta sauce are highly pigmented and especially good at clinging onto tooth enamel. To ward off staining during your next Italian night, accompany your meal with crusty bread or crunchy vegetables to naturally scrub away the pigments that cause staining.

#3: Dark Chocolate

Yes, it seems like all the good things in life are also the biggest offenders when it comes to tooth staining. Dark, rich chocolate is no different. To help combat staining, try to consume it in small amounts, and when you do indulge, be sure to rinse your mouth out with water soon after.

#4: Coffee

It’s no secret that a morning coffee habit leads to dark teeth, but is there anything you can do to maintain your caffeine kick without staining your teeth? The good news is there is. Add milk or creamer to your coffee to neutralize the color a little. And if you’re feeling really bold, you can try switching out coffee for green tea — check out the health benefits of green tea if you’re in need of a little convincing.

#5: Spices

Certain vibrantly-colored spices, like yellow curry and turmeric, for example, can lead to tooth staining when consumed frequently. If you’re a fan of curry-rich Indian food, eat crunchy vegetables or fruits with or after meals to naturally remove staining-agents from teeth.

Time for Teeth Whitening in Fayetteville?

Cutting these and other highly-pigmented foods and beverages from your diet can help to brighten your smile naturally, but if you’re interested in getting a jump start in the dazzle department, consider professional teeth whitening from your cosmetic dentist in Fayetteville. Dr. Chaney offers in-office and at-home treatments to help you whiten at the pace you’re comfortable with.

Contact us to learn more or to schedule your appointment today!