There’s a popular TV commercial that claims that “if you’re not whitening, you’re yellowing,” but what exactly is it that turns our teeth from pearly white to dull and dingy?

It seems pretty obvious that most of the stains on our teeth come from food. For example, if blueberries stain our hands when we pick them, it makes sense that they stain our teeth when we chew them.{relatedarticles}

This is because all foods contain something called chromogens, defined by the American Heritage Medical Dictionary as “… strongly pigment-generating or pigmented organelles, organs, or microorganisms.” Chromogens are what give food, drinks, and any other organic substance their color. When left behind on our teeth, they make stains.

However, there are a few other factors to consider when it comes to how our favorite delectables discolor our dentistry. It’s not simply a matter of pigmentation because some colorful foods won’t make the slightest blemish on our teeth, while others can discolor our choppers instantly.

Dulling Foods and Dingy Drinks

Not all foods are created equal when it comes to dental discoloration. The culprit in determining whether or not a food or drink will stain teeth is pH balance. That is, how acidic or basic is the food you are consuming?

The worst offenders, the ones that are highly acidic and deeply colored, are:

• coffee;
• tea;
• wine; and
• soda pop.

The acid in those drinks softens the enamel of your teeth and allows for easier absorption of the pigment in the beverages.{relatedarticles}

The same holds true for berries and sauces - part of what makes spaghetti sauce so tasty is its slightly sour acidity. This also goes for berries as the tartness you taste is naturally-produced acid.

But food doesn’t have to be dark and acidic to soften and stain your teeth. The acidity of even completely colorless foods may erode enamel on your teeth. Consider that white wine may be no less acidic than red. If you are enjoying a nice glass of Chablis before dessert, the wine’s acidity may erode the enamel and any chromogens in your dessert may cause discoloration.

Smoke and Mirrors

Despite the mountain of evidence proving how unhealthy it is, millions of people continue to use tobacco. Whatever the reason for its continued use, cigarette smoke and chewing tobacco are deadly carcinogens which contribute not only to tooth discoloration, but to tooth decay and loss.

Cigarette (and cigar) smoke contains tar. This tar isn’t the same stuff that holds the roof of your house together, but it’s not much better for you! Tar is not only darkly colored, but it passes directly over and through a smoker’s teeth. Over time, smoking will turn a smoker’s teeth brown, while chewing or dipping tobacco will discolor teeth even faster because the tobacco chromogens are kept in contact with tooth enamel for even longer.

While obviously there are bigger health concerns associated with smoking than tooth discoloration, there’s no denying that yellow teeth go hand-in-hand with smoking. The moral is, one of the best things you can do for your teeth (and your health overall) is to quit using tobacco products immediately!{relatedarticles}

An Ounce of Discoloration Prevention

Once your teeth are stained, there’s no reason you have to keep them that way. Whitening treatments range from the super simple to the nearly surgical. Throw in a little prevention and you can have gleaming white teeth to last a lifetime.

First things first: brush twice a day. We know, you’ve been hearing that since you were a little kid, but it’s one of the best preventative measures for tooth health, including discoloration. Three times a day (or after every meal) can certainly help, just be sure not to overdo it and irritate your gums.

If you can’t get to a toothbrush, a glass of water will help. After eating or drinking acidic or chromogen-rich foods, swish water between your teeth to try to remove some of the residue left behind. Regular fluoridated tap water (filtered or not) can also help to strengthen your teeth, which may help reduce future discoloration.

When you’re figuring out what to eat and drink, you can also make smart choices that will minimize tooth damage and staining. If you can’t live without a hot beverage at breakfast, try green or white tea instead of your normal earl grey - it’s just as acidic, but it has less pigmentation. The same goes for white wine over red, or clear sodas over cola. Just remember that even though the food itself is colorless, it’s still softening the enamel on your teeth.{relatedarticles}

A Pound of Brightening Cure

When it’s time to un-do the damage, it’s worth talking to a dentist to understand your options.

For starters, you can make an easy whitening treatment at home by mixing baking soda with hydrogen peroxide. Just a few drops of peroxide in a teaspoon of baking soda can help to remove surface stains on your teeth.

Baking soda is an abrasive, and peroxide is a bleaching agent. If you don’t like the taste of baking soda (and we can hardly say we blame you), many whitening toothpastes also contain these ingredients.

For deeper stains, you might try an at-home bleaching kit. These come in a variety of forms including bite trays, stick-on strips, and brush-on gels. These at-home kits are good for most tooth whitening needs, but just to be clear, some of these are only good for your very front teeth. Anyone with a wide smile might need more.{relatedarticles}

Finally, there are in-office bleaching treatments that can only be administered by a dentist or oral hygienist. These treatments will usually involve the use of special gels or cleaners, and may also require lasers or UV light to get to the deep-down stains. These treatments can be expensive and may not be covered by your dental insurance.

Bright, white teeth are the key to an inviting and attractive smile. With a little care and prevention, it’s not hard to keep your grin looking great; but if stains do appear, you’ve got options. Just remember to talk to your dentist before starting any whitening treatment, and then smile with confidence!