Foods and Habits That Stain Your Teeth

Foods and Habits That Stain Your Teeth

If you want to keep your teeth white, check this list of foods and beverages that stain teeth.

1. Wine. Red wine, an acidic beverage that contains chromogens and tannins, is notorious for staining teeth. But white wine, too, promotes staining.

2. Tea. Like wine, the ordinary black tea most people drink is rich in stain-promoting tannins. Dentists say it’s a bigger stainer than coffee

3. Cola. Acidic and chromogen-rich cola can cause significant staining. But even light-colored soft drinks are sufficiently acidic to promote staining of teeth by other foods and beverages

4. Sports drinks. Recent research led by Wolff found that highly acidic sports drinks can soften tooth enamel.

5. Berries. Blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, cherries, grapes, pomegranates, and other intensely colored fruits can cause stains.

6. Sauces. Soy sauce, tomato sauce, curry sauce, and other deeply colored sauces are believed to have significant staining potential. 

7. Sweets. Hard candies, chewing gum, popsicles, and other sweets often contain teeth-staining coloring agents.