You know what they say about first impressions, especially if you meet someone special or important. That also includes your smile and the last thing you need is a set of yellowish, discoloured teeth. Besides, stained teeth can lead to a lack of confidence and awkwardness. Stained teeth has to do with some of the daily habits that you may or may not be consciously aware of, and below are the 10 Daily Habits That Can Stain Your Teeth.
1) You Love To Drink Soda
Frankly, it’s not that you can’t totally drink soda, soft drinks, carbonated drinks or whatever you want to call it. Moderation is always the key here. But if you regularly drink these fizzy beverages like water, you will risk having your teeth suffer from discolouration. The reasons? Soda packs lots of sugar and yes, even the so-called “sugar-free” varieties as well. They are acidic too, which in turn, causes your enamel to erode and eventually staining your teeth.
2) You Use Mouthwash
Are you one of those who regularly gargle with mouthwash after brushing your teeth? While it seems like the right thing to do, it’s hard to believe that something supposedly beneficial like a mouthwash can do more harm than good. This is especially true if the ingredients found in your mouthwash contain the likes of chlorhexidine and eucalyptol — both of which are known for causing tooth discolouration. So, the next time you shop for a mouthwash, make an effort to check the label beforehand.
3) You Are A Smoker
We don’t have to tell you in detail how bad and dangerous smoking can disrupt your health in the long run. Those who like to smoke a lot are highly likely to have their teeth stained and turn yellow. This is because cigarettes contain nicotine and tar, the two chemical compounds which happen to be the leading cause of tooth discolouration.
4) You Regularly Drink Wine
A glass or two is fine. But if moderation doesn’t mean a thing to you when it comes to drinking wine, you are simply asking for trouble. Among the trouble in question happens to be staining your teeth. It doesn’t matter whether you drink red or white wine since both of them contain acid. The only biggest difference is that white wine turns out to be more acidic. When it’s acidic, it can ruin the enamel of your teeth, subsequently leading to discolouration.
5) You Have A Strong Coffee/Tea Habit
(Most) of us can’t get by a day without a cup (or more) of coffee or tea. While these popular beverages are good for some jolts of energy, sipping them on a regular basis can potentially stain your teeth. This is especially true if you like to drink black coffee or strong tea due to high amounts of tannins. Fortunately, you don’t have to quit drinking them altogether. For example, try not to brew or steep too long when you drink a cup of tea. Alternatively, consider adding milk or creamer to lighten the coffee or tea. And according to the US-based toothpaste brand Crest, you can minimise the effect of stains on your teeth by rinsing your mouth or drinking water after consuming them.
6) You Like Foods With Tomato-Based Sauces
Are you a big fan of pasta or pizza? Particularly the kind with tomato-based sauces? Well, we hate to break it to you but eating them regularly can stain your teeth. Blame it on the tomato’s acidic ingredient and according to Healthline, try rinsing your mouth out with water after eating such foods with tomato-based sauces.
7) You Enjoy Too Much Of Citrus Fruits
By citrus fruits, we mean everything from oranges to lemons, limes and grapefruits — all of which make your teeth susceptible to tooth discolouration. Besides, these fruits are acidic, even with all their vitamin C benefits and such. The next time you are eating these fruits or drinking the juices, try having them in moderation to avoid the enamel of your teeth from dissolving. Also, try drinking a glass of water to help wash away some of the citrus acid left on your teeth.
8) You Love To Eat Candies And Sweets
Candies and sweets normally have loads of sugar in them. The high sugar level not only causes your teeth to decay but some of those coloured dyes can disrupt your enamel as well. This, in turn, leads to tooth discolouration.
9) You Are A Fan Of Berries
Okay, this might come across as a surprise, given all the health benefits that berries have in them. But believe it or not, berries — especially the darker varieties like blackberries and blueberries — can stain your teeth due to their dark pigmentations. According to Greatist, the best way to prevent your teeth from discolouration is to try swishing with water or brush your teeth after consuming them.
10) You Love Eating Curries
Curries are quintessential among many Malaysians. These versatile spices taste great for meat and vegetable curries. But the thing is, the distinctive colour in the curry spices can leave your teeth to become stained and yellowish. This is particularly evident if you consume curries on a frequent basis. Try to limit them or if you can’t live a day without having some curries in your daily diet, consider incorporate them with vegetables like carrots and cauliflowers. Even eating fresh fruits like apples can help suppress the effect of teeth stains after consuming curries.
