Do Clear Beverages Still Cause Dental Staining?

Do Clear Beverages Still Cause Dental Staining?
Posted on 04/21/2020

If you want to keep your smile bright, think about what you put in your mouth on a daily basis. What you eat, drink and even smoke affects your teeth and how they look and it is even more likely to happen as you age. However, if you know what to drink and what to avoid, you should be able to keep those pearly whites as bright and shiny as you please.

Let's Look At What Causes Stains?

As you get older, your tooth enamel changes and the stains get into the little cracks and scratches that appear as time goes by. There are three things you need to watch out for. The first one is a compound known as Chromogens which have strong pigments that cling to the enamel. Tannins are plant-based compounds that help other stains stick to teeth. Lastly, acids which make your tooth enamel softer, rougher, and more porous which allows stains to more easily penetrate the surface.

Which Are The Best And Worst?

Most would think that coffee is the worst drink to stain your teeth because it is very dark and very acidic and together over time it helps turn white teeth yellow. However, it is not the worst. That category belongs to tea. Not only is tea full of acid, but it also has tannins. Red wine is also not very good for your teeth (for your health maybe). It's very acidic, has lots of tannins, and that deep color all work against your teeth. White wine is only a tad better. Despite its light color, it still has tannins and is acidic – it can stain the teeth too.

But the initial question was do clear beverages still cause dental staining and the answer is yes. Just because you drink a clear soda your teeth will get duller over time because those sodas and liquids still contain acids. Coca-Cola is the most acidic soft drink, root beer the least. Mountain Dew comes in between the two. While those clear or light beverages may not have an immediate effect, they will still darken your teeth over time as the acids slowly dissolve and soften the enamel allowing other stains to set in.

If you are worried about your teeth and their color, we encourage you to call our office so we can discuss the matter. In closing, remember to keep the acids off of your teeth and avoid dark foods and beverages as best you can to keep that smile bright for years to come.

Columbus Family Dental Care

  • Columbus Family Dental Care - 1645 Holt Road, Columbus, OH 43228 Phone: 614-878-1397 Fax: 614-878-1336

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