Common Concerns About Holiday Treats

After the leaves have started to turn, you know the holidays are just around the corner, and that means it’s time for holiday meals and treats. But will those treats stain my teeth? And is there anything I can do to prevent them? The team at Dental Care Associates of Buffalo, located in Buffalo, MN, are here to offer up tips on enjoying holiday treats without worrying about stain-causing foods and drinks.

Common Staining Culprits

The most common tooth staining culprits are coffee, red wine, beets, cranberry sauce, and red-based sauces, like tomato sauce. Any foods or drinks that are rich in the color red or purple are more likely to cause stains on teeth, especially berries.

Many of the foods and drinks listed above are teeth stainers because they contain tannins. Tannins are a bitter and astringent compound that can bind to the proteins in your saliva. These proteins then stick to the enamel on your teeth and attract other substances, especially color compounds in foods, to stick to the teeth, which can lead to tooth staining and discoloration. Tannins are hard to avoid because they are naturally occurring in most foods and drinks.

Acidic foods can also contribute to stains on teeth. The more often your teeth come into contact with acids in foods and drinks, the easier it is for your teeth to become porous over time. Acid has a way of wearing down the enamel of your teeth, making your teeth more susceptible to staining and discoloration. Foods and drinks high in acid include coffee, citrus foods, and many sweets.

Can I prevent foods and drinks from staining my teeth?

While it may be hard to avoid foods and drinks that may cause tooth staining, there are things you can do to help prevent your teeth from staining. One way you can avoid stains is by using a straw when drinking beverages that are rich in tannins. With a straw, your beverage will avoid touching your teeth, which means less chance of staining.

If a straw isn’t available, you can still enjoy your drinks. Dentists will recommend that you drink water after you are done with your holiday treats. Water can help rinse away any bacteria and acids in your mouth, reducing the amount of time they are in contact with your teeth. Water also helps to balance out the pH of your mouth, so it’s always a good idea to drink water after meals and snacks to help clear your mouth of acids and bacteria if you aren’t able to brush your teeth immediately.

If you are really concerned with tannins and acids causing staining to your teeth, you can always limit your consumption of dark-pigmented foods and drinks. You can also switch the types of foods and drinks you consume. For instance, instead of drinking black teas, choose green teas or herbal teas instead.

Post-Holiday Dental Care

After the holidays, if you feel your teeth aren’t as white as you’d like them to be, schedule a consultation with Dental Care Associates of Buffalo. Our team can give your teeth a professional cleaning, which will polish your teeth and bring back some brightness to them.

However, if you aren’t happy with the shade of white on your teeth, our dentists can recommend a tooth whitening treatment for you. At Dental Care Associates of Buffalo, we offer two take-home tooth whitening products. That means you can whiten your teeth in the privacy of your own home, on your own time.

One of the products we offer is the PolaDay Advanced Whitening System, which is a system that includes tooth whitening gel you apply to your teeth, then it is cured with an LED light that is attached to a mouthguard. The other option is Opalescence Go, which is a tooth whitening system that uses custom-fitted trays that fit over your teeth. The patient fills the tray with a professional-grade tooth whitening solution, then wears the trays for about an hour at a time. You’ll be able to see results in just about a week. Both are safe to use at home and highly recommended by our dental team.

So, if you are concerned that the holiday treats you consumed over the season have dulled your smile, schedule an appointment with Dental Care Associates of Buffalo today. We’ll take care of the whole health of your smile, and that includes its cosmetic appearance. We’d love to refresh your smile and make it dazzling once again!