How To Prevent Tooth Yellowing
We are used to seeing the perfect chewing equipment on the telly and on the covers of the magazines. The teeth literally glow white. How in the world would your own teeth turn just as beautiful white? Of course, many public figures go to professionals to whiten their teeth, as few have their own tooth color pure white. Tooth yellowing is common and teeth discolor over the years.
The biggest cause of tooth yellowing is tobacco, but many of the foods we eat can also accelerate tooth discoloration. Feeling insecure when your teeth don’t look clean. How to prevent tooth yellowing? In this article, we take a closer look at tooth discoloration.
Tooth yellowing – staining foods
In general, teeth turn yellow slowly but surely. In older people, yellowing is clearly noticeable, in younger people the teeth are still relatively white. The color of the teeth varies from individual to individual, as the color of the dentin may be darker or lighter at birth. The acids in the food and drink we ingest attack the tooth enamel and bite the dental bone.
Teeth can turn yellow even at an early stage, especially if you enjoy a lot of darkening foods and drinks. The worst enemies of a bright smile are the following foods:
1. Coffee and tea
For many heavy coffee drinkers, the morning doesn’t start at all without a cup of strong coffee. Others enjoy strong tea in the afternoons. Unfortunately, coffee and black tea darken the teeth the most.
One cup of coffee doesn’t stain anyone’s teeth, but after years of drinking coffee and tea, it darkens the tone of your teeth gradually, almost unnoticed. Coffee and tea contain compounds that easily penetrate under the enamel and stain teeth. If you enjoy coffee and make black without milk, the coloring effect is stronger.
Coffee and tea do not need to be completely eliminated from the diet, but it is recommended to consume them in moderation. Mix a drop of milk, soy milk or almond milk with the coffee or tea.
2. Red wine
You’ve probably noticed how your lips and teeth turn blue after eating red wine. Red wine is a great enemy of tooth enamel. Red wine should therefore be enjoyed in moderation; don’t slap an entire bottle, but enjoy a glass or two. Drink water while sipping, this way the acids of red wine do not stick to the surface of the tooth as effectively. You can also brush your teeth before eating red wine to protect them from acids. Do not brush your teeth immediately after drinking wine, as this will enhance the effect of acids on your tooth.
3. Cola drinks
Cola drinks are very harmful to tooth enamel and they stain teeth easily. Phosphoric acid in cola drinks yellows teeth, damages enamel and causes tooth decay.
Switch cola drinks to healthy alternatives.
4. Ice cream and sweetened ice cream drinks
This may come as a surprise, but ice cream and sweetened ice cream drinks, many of which are enjoyed in the summer heat, cause damage to tooth enamel. Namely, these refreshing and sweet delicacies are made from many chemicals, sweeteners and acids from which their bright colors are formed. These ingredients penetrate the tooth enamel and cause tooth discoloration.
So avoid excessive consumption of ice cream or favor naturally sweetened and colored products.
5. Be careful with dark juice drinks
Dark grape juice stains teeth in the same way as red wine. Also avoid beets, currant juices, blackberries and other dark juice drinks excessively. Some of these are good for your health, but unfortunately they can lead to tooth discoloration. All fruits and vegetables containing dark dye, even tomatoes, contain acids that penetrate deep into the tooth, causing destruction.
Enjoy the juices in moderation.
6. Soy sauce
Soy sauce is a deliciously salty spice that brings a plush flavor to many recipes. Soy sauce is perfect with vegetables, Asian cuisine and meat dishes. Unfortunately, soy sauce can darken teeth. So remember to enjoy it in the name of moderation.
7. Balsamic wine vinegar
The same is true with balsamic vinegar. The side dish is suitable for salads and with vegetables, but just like other dark vinegars, its hard acidity means harm to the teeth. Balsamic vinegar can darken teeth and damage enamel.
However, according to dentists, balsamic vinegar can be safely consumed with lettuce as it protects teeth from damage. So be sure to enjoy balsamic vinegar along with lettuce if you want to protect your teeth from darkening.
How to prevent yellowing of teeth?
The best way to take care of your teeth is to avoid harmful foods. When the teeth start to turn yellow, it means that their enamel is damaged. Thus, it protects tooth enamel by reducing the consumption of foods containing harmful acids. In addition:
- Eat an apple a day. The apple protects the teeth from mica damage and at the same time cleans the spaces between the teeth where bacteria and food debris can hide.
- Drink a glass of water at the end of the meal. This flushes out acid residues from the mouth and protects the enamel from yellowing.
- Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day and preferably also after lunch.
- A natural way to brighten the color of your tooth is to rub the inside of the banana peel against your teeth. The salicylic acid contained in the inner surface of the shell gently whitens the teeth.
