We know you’re busy planning your holiday feast. This time of the year is perfect for indulging in a delicious meal with your family and friends after all. However, it’s important to remember that many popular Thanksgiving dishes can be harmful to your stunning smile.
Read on for some of the top foods and drinks that contribute to discoloration. Plus, discover how a good oral hygiene routine and professional teeth whitening can fight back against staining.
Common Tooth Staining Culprits
Certain types of food and drinks stain your teeth when they get into the outer layers of your tooth structure. Four of the most common offenders during the holiday season are:
- Cranberries: It’s not just the dark color of cranberries that earns dishes like cranberry sauce a spot on this list. The fruit is also highly acidic. That means it can wear away your tooth enamel.
- Coffee: One of the all-time tooth-staining culprits, coffee has a reputation for turning white smiles dull. Over the holidays, you may drink a lot more of it than usual as you struggle to stay energized amidst the hustle and bustle of the season.
- Wine: Wine is a beverage that you will find on many Thanksgiving dinner tables. However, red wine is pigmented enough to leave its mark on your teeth over time. And drinking white wine before red is thought to make teeth more vulnerable to staining.
- Pie: More staining fruits hiding in your holiday line-up. Blackberries, raspberries, cherries, and other dark and acidic ingredients are popular add-ins for pies.
Your Holiday Smile Playbook
You don’t have to stay away from your favorite foods and drinks this season. However, there are a few things you should do to keep your teeth looking bright and healthy. Make sure to brush regularly, sip water with your meals, and drink dark beverages through a straw when possible.
Do you need help brightening your smile before or after the holidays? If so, we recommend booking a professional whitening session at our Lone Tree dental practice or asking about our effective take-home whitening kits. These treatments lift stubborn stains for radiant results!
Say Goodbye to Stains and Discoloration
Call 303-790-2323 to schedule an appointment to discuss your teeth whitening options. Our dentists can also make sure your teeth are in the best possible condition for the holidays. Meadows Dental Group by Espire serves patients from Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, and other areas of Colorado.