Although there are many resources for getting whiter teeth, it’s also important to stay away from certain foods and drinks that stain and discolor your teeth. According to Orange County tooth whitening expert there are quite a few foods and drinks that tend to discolor your teeth. Read on for a list of foods and beverages that can dim your smile.

Coffee: Coffee has quite a discoloring effect on your teeth. Caffeine rich coffee is pretty addictive. A few methods of minimizing the discoloring effect of coffee would be to drink through a straw or diluting it with milk and brush and chew gum after coffee intake says dental implants Orange County specialist.

Tea: Black tea is a terrible teeth stainer just as its cousin coffee. Tea in contrast to coffee has some alternatives such as green, white and herbal teas which are in fact good for your teeth and causes less staining.

Curry: The herbs and spices used in the Indian curries are extremely chromogenic (color imparting) and are very likely to stain your teeth.

Soy Sauce: Soy sauce sticks to teeth and its deep colored pigments can cause bad stains. So, go easy on the soy sauce, the next time you’re at the sushi bar and rinse your mouth out with some water or green tea after eating it.

Red wine: Red wine contains polyphenols that stain your teeth. The alcohol in red wine is very acidic and also wears the enamel of the teeth. Do not brush your teeth immediately after consuming red wine. Rinse your mouth and chew gum however.

Cola: Cola drinks not only stain and discolor your teeth but also erode enamel and cause tooth decay due to the harmful phosphoric acid, citric acid and sugar content in them. These are often served chilled which causes the enamel to become more vulnerable to staining. Minimize the staining effect of cola by drinking it through a straw.

This article doesn’t imply that you should quit consuming them however, try limiting their intake and wash out or brush your teeth after having these foods says cosmetic dentist OC specialist. It’s particularly important to avoid these foods immediately after a whitening treatment because the bleaching process makes teeth extra absorbent. If you are interested in teeth whitening, contact a cosmetic dentist today for a free consultation.