At Dental Associates of Delaware, we are always looking to educate our patients on how to maintain beautiful and healthy Delaware smiles. While it is always important to keep up with your brushing and flossing routine, there are other things that you can do, to keep your smile shining bright. You may not know that certain food and habits have been known to stain or damage teeth. We’re here to share those with you so that you can have a bright white smile and a healthy mouth!
What Should I Avoid?
As you may or may not know, your tooth enamel changes as you grow older so it becomes more important and more important to protect your smile as we age. When considering what to avoid consider the following:
- Chromogens: compounds with strong pigments that cling to enamel.
- Tannins: plant-based compounds that make it easier for stains to stick to your teeth.
- Acids: These make your tooth enamel softer and rougher so that it is easier for stains to set in.
So what does this really mean? What types of food should you avoid? Here’s a quick list of culprits that could be harming your teeth. When possible, it’s best to limit or avoid the following:
- Coffee/Tea
- Red Wine (contains chromogens)
- White Wine (contains acid and tannins)
- Foods with food coloring
- Soft Drinks (contains acid)
- Lemonade (very high in acid)
In general, it is always a good idea to avoid foods and drinks that contain a high amount of acidity as it can break down the enamel of your teeth. If you find it difficult to avoid these types of foods/beverages, then we have some tips that might help. Brush your teeth about 30 minutes after consuming these items to remove the acid from your mouth. If you are drinking one of these beverages, limit its contact with your teeth by using a straw. And, of course – visit your dentist regularly.
Contact Your Trusted Delaware Dentists for More Info
If you have any questions about how you can better avoid staining your teeth we encourage you to contact us at our office in Brandywine, Hockessin, Middletown, Wilmington, Millsboro, and Ocean View, DE. Our Doctors and staff are always happy to answer your questions or help you book an appointment. We look forward to seeing your bright and healthy Delaware smile!