Foods that can stain your teeth and foods that whiten them.... M. Marc Liechtung, DMD

[Mordecai Marc Liechtung]

It may be surprising to learn what stains teeth and what can aid in keeping teeth white. 

It is a fact that red wine stains teeth, but so can cola due to its acidity and its ability to etch grooves into the teeth. Beets which are used in food dyes and can also stain clothes and skin can stain teeth much the same as soy sauce and tomato sauce. Also pomegranite, cranberry and grape can cause staining due to their high degree of pigmentation. 

Also lets not forget about pickles, ketchup, colored candy, curry and balsamic vinegar.  

On the other hand patients may be surprised to learn that dark chocolate can actually whiten teeth due to it containing tannins, the antioxidant found in cacao. These can prevent bacteria from sticking to the teeth while at the same time neutralizing the microorganisms that can cause bad breath 

Even more surprising drinking tea, with it's natural high levels of polyphenols helps to battle bacteria and acid, while eating cheese can raise the mouth's pH to an almost perfect level. Another inhibitor of bacteria is shitake mushrooms.

Regualr eating of poppy and sesame seeds can assist is scrubbing away plaque and  while ginger can  acts as an anti-inflammatory that will support a healthy mouth tissue.

Marc Liechtung, DMD is the founder of Manhattan Dental Arts and the Inventor of the Snap-on-Smile®. Manhattan Dental Arts P.C. is located on the Upper West Side at 68th and Broadway. We specialize in dental cleanings,emergency dentistry, dental implants, all-on-4 dental implants, full mouth reconstruction, dental crowns, root canals,periodontics, Snap on Smile, dental bridges, dentures, extractions, smile makeovers and all forms of general and cosmetic dentistry. The practice group also owns New Rochelle Dental Arts. New Rochelle Dental Arts specializes in dental cleanings,emergency dentistry, dental implants, all-on-4 dental implants, full mouth reconstruction, dental crowns, root canals, periodontics, Snap on Smile, dental bridges, dentures, extractions, smile makeovers and all forms of general and cosmetic dentistry.