What does your smile say about you? Believe it or not, your dentist can tell a lot about you and your lifestyle simply by taking a look inside your mouth. He can tell if you grind your teeth or whether or not you maintain good oral hygiene at home.

But did you know he can get a pretty good idea of the kind of foods you like, too? That’s because when it comes to what you like to eat and drink, the color of your teeth will give you away. Today’s blog will help you know the kinds of snacks, drinks, and even habits you should be careful of if you want to maintain a whiter, brighter smile.

At Rod Eccles, DDS in Plainfield, IN, we offer professional teeth whitening treatments to help restore the color of your teeth to it’s whitest and brightest.

In the meantime, you can keep reading to find out how what goes into your mouth will eventually be reflected in your smile and ways you can make sure that reflection stays crystal clear!

White Teeth Beware!

Dark Fruits & Veggies

Maintaining a healthy diet full of nutrient rich fruits and vegetables is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It not only helps you stay slim, but it also is beneficial to your oral health. When you snack on natural, crunchy whole fruits and veggies, it triggers those salivary glands to get moving!

Saliva is your body’s natural cleansing agent that washes away food particles left behind after you eat. Without it, bits of food can get wedged in the nooks and crannies of your teeth and put you at greater risk for tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

But buyers beware! When it comes to your teeth, some of those healthy foods can leave lasting stains. Higher acidity levels in blackberries, beets, tomatoes, and blueberries, for example, can weaken tooth enamel. This makes it easier for the dark pigment in these foods to bond to your teeth and stain them over time. You can combat their stain power by washing these snacks down with plenty of water.

Red Wine

While research has shown that there are some heart healthy benefits to red wine, excessive consumption can stain your teeth. Just like with dark fruits and vegetables, red wine has the similar enamel weakening acid and dark pigment that threaten those pearly whites. To complicate matters, red wine contains higher amounts of sugar that can lead to tooth decay. Oh, and there’s that whole dehydration issue with alcohol in general.

To protect not only the color of your teeth but also your oral health overall, moderation is key here. If you’re going to enjoy a night of responsible drinking, take extra precaution and remember to alternate glasses of water and red wine throughout the evening. This will keep dehydration and discoloration at a distance.

Coffee

If you’re a daily coffee drinker, even the thought of saying no to the joe can have you feeling jittery with anxiety. After all, we all love (and maybe even depend on!) that morning boost of caffeine to open your eyes and help you face the day.

But you’ve seen the stains coffee leaves behind in the coffee pot, right? Imagine what it does to your teeth! Not to mention its acidity level and any added sugars that go in thanks to your creamer and other flavor enhancing goodies you stir in. You can lessen the impact of coffee on your teeth by rinsing your mouth with water, brushing and flossing daily, and reduce your coffee intake to just the morning time rather than sipping it throughout the day in the office.

Smoking And Tobacco Use

An even tougher daily habit to break than coffee is smoking or any kind of tobacco use. Folks, there really isn’t a way around this one. Not only do these habits stain your teeth, but think of all the ways it negatively impacts your health and puts you at higher risk for oral and lung cancers, heart disease, and chronic respiratory problems.

If the health risks aren’t enough, you could tell yourself that professional teeth whitening could help maintain your attractive smile, but without kicking the habit altogether, you’re simply going to have to invest more time and money into those whitening treatments because the stains will keep returning.

Your Teeth Whitening Options In Plainfield!

In our Plainfield dental office, you can choose from our Zoom! DayWhite or Opalescence GO whitening treatments that you take home and use at your convenience. Not only are you getting the dazzling white smile you’ve always wanted, but you can enjoy professional, dramatic results in the comfort of your own home! Who can beat that?!

Don’t let dark foods, drinks, and habits threaten your healthy, beautiful smile! Give us a call today at 317-682-0884 or fill out our convenient online form to request an appointment for your professional teeth whitening!