Remove these 7 foods from your diet if you want white teeth

Gums and teeth are a reflection of your oral health, and what you eat influences their health. Here are 7 foods that stain teeth and make them appear yellow.
caffeine side effects of teeth
Too much caffein can stain your teeth. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Aayushi Gupta Published: 20 Sep 2022, 11:30 am IST
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Your oral has a lot to do with your impression on other people. But if your teeth are turning yellow, that’s a warning sign and it’s bad for your dental health. So, what causes dental stains? The adage “We are what we eat” certainly applies to your oral health. While some foods might help you whiten your teeth, there are also some foods that stain teeth and give them a yellow or brown appearance. Therefore, you must cut them out of your diet in order to have a radiant smile.

Foods and drinks that cause yellow teeth

Along with maintaining proper oral hygiene, which entails routinely brushing, flossing, and rinsing, we should be cautious about the foods we eat. In actuality, eating a healthy diet can not only help prevent teeth staining but will also improve your overall oral health.

HealthShots got in touch with Deepti Lokeshappa, Msc Food Science and Nutrition, Senior Consultant-Clinical Nutritionist, Motherhood Hospital, Bengaluru, to find out which foods are worst for oral health and make them appear yellow.

Lokeshappa says, “Having your morning coffee or your favorite noodles for lunch might be doing a lot more than providing you calories and energy. Your dental health is directly affected by what you eat or drink. Consuming food items with dark pigments and acidic content can lead to stains on your teeth.” So, let’s take a closer look at food and drink items to avoid in order to maintain bright teeth.

foods that stain teeth
Avoid these foods to keep your teeth white. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Here are some food and drink items that cause your teeth to appear yellowish in color:

1. Coffee and tea

It may be surprising to hear but your favorite beverage such as tea and coffee contains tannins that can cause color compounds to stick to your teeth, resulting in yellow teeth. Coffee is also very acidic in nature, and acidic foods are harmful for oral health. Instead of them, drink herbal tea to start your day!

2. Dark cola

Carbonated beverages such as soda and cola have very acidic pH that can erode the enamel layer which can make your teeth more susceptible to staining. Plus, chemicals that add flavour in these drinks can also eat away your enamel and promote tooth decay.

Also, read: Say bye to yellow teeth with these 5 home remedies for sparkling white teeth

3. Sweets and candies

Everyone agrees on the fact that sugar is the most common enemy of your dental health. Consuming sweets and candies, especially of dark varieties like chocolate can cause staining. Hard candies also come with pigments that can stick to your teeth. The good news is that they usually won’t cause any harm unless you consume those treats often.

foods that stain teeth
Keep your distance from sweets! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

4. Soy sauce

You may like to add a good amount of soya sauce in your food but your teeth obviously won’t like it. The dark brown pigment that it contains can stain your teeth. Over consumption of highly concentrated sauces like soy sauce should be avoided.

5. Citrus and acidic food items

Citric foods like tomato or lemon are nutrition packed but these colorful eatables can erode your enamel layer when consumed in excessive quantities. They can also increase your risk for developing cavities.

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Also, read: Wondering why your teeth are turning yellow? Blame these 5 culprits

6. Blueberries, blackberries and pomegranates

Though these fruits are rich in antioxidants, they are highly pigmented and can cause stains in your teeth. You should eat them in moderation

7. Red wine

Whether red or white, wine can be the reason behind your grayish teeth that are even harder to remove that yellow staining. The acid present in wine can take a toll on your teeth by damaging the enamel and make your teeth more susceptible to become yellow.

foods that stain teeth
Limit the consumption of wine. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

It is important to remember that these food items will cause staining only when they are consumed in excess. Therefore, monitor the quantities you consume to protect your teeth.

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About the Author

Aayushi Gupta is a health writer with a special interest in trends related to diet, fitness, beauty and intimate health. With around 2 years of experience in the wellness industry, she is connected to leading experts and doctors to provide our readers with factually correct information. ...Read More

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