Although many people know drinking coffee, tea, and red wine can cause tooth stains, there are also certain foods that can discolor the enamel. This is due to the pigments and acids found in the fare. To determine whether you need to adjust your eating habits and schedule teeth whitening, here are a few foods that could alter the appearance of your pearly whites. 

What Foods Can Stain Teeth

1. Berries

Berries are a refreshing treat and a good source of fiber and other nutrients. Unfortunately, the fruits are also acidic, making it easier for the crimson red, violet blue, and purple color of raspberries, cranberries, blackberries, and blueberries to penetrate the top layer of teeth. To minimize or combat staining, remember to drink water after eating fresh berries or consuming other foods and beverages that contain them. 

2. Tomato Sauce

The next time you have your favorite pasta dish, consider using white sauce or a bit of olive oil instead of tomato sauce. Although the ingredient is a fantastic source of vitamin C, it is also incredibly acidic. It's the acid, paired with the bright red color, that can affect tooth enamel. 

Before you eat foods covered in tomato sauce, munch on a salad first. The leafy greens can help your mouth create more saliva to wash away the acidic sauce. The residue from the greens also coats the teeth to protect the enamel from other substances you eat.

3. Soy Sauce

Soy sauce gives sushi, noodles, and other foods a salty, tangy bite. The much-loved condiment, however, is very concentrated, which means it is a prime culprit for causing teeth stains. 

To keep the dark liquid off your teeth, only put a few drops on your food and drink water while you eat. Or, you can enjoy your meal without soy sauce. This will eliminate the possibility of staining and also cut down on your sodium intake.

If you have stained teeth caused by one of the aforementioned foods, C. R. Sfeir, DDS, General Dentistry in Lorain, OH, is available to help. Serving patients in the Lorain County area since 1995, the practice offers teeth whitening to restore the gleaming appearance of the enamel. The dentist also performs tooth implant procedures to improve patients' quality of life. Learn more about the benefits of teeth whitening online and call (440) 960-5200 to arrange an appointment.