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.

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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.