Some of our most favorite foods are a major cause for discoloration in our teeth. Pearly whites affect the self-esteem level of many teenagers and adults alike. Many times these stains are not from anything more than the foods and drinks we consume.

There are underlying circumstances that a dentist will need to check if there is discoloration due to decay or a dead tooth due to severe impact and root problems, however in the case of the things we consume, there are things we can do about it.

Here is a list of the chromogenic foods are known foods that can cause discoloration in your teeth:

Coffee
Tea
Wine
Cola
Dark fruits
Chocolate
Beats
Licorice
Curry

Any food that contains a colorant that can stick to your teeth and then stays on your teeth due to the color. Foods that are sticky, sugary, or hot can stain easier than others. That is why it is so important to brush and floss after eating any type of food or drink with any of these characteristics.

There are a few things that can be done to help prevent these foods and beverages from staining your pearly whites. Rinse with a warm cup of water after drinks or foods that cause color stains.

Brushing after eating will make it so that the colorants from the foods will not stain the teeth. Rinsing with an antiseptic rinse will also help.

Having your teeth cleaned on a regular basis at your dentist office will also help with the discoloration of teeth. It is also a good idea to get your teeth whitened through your dentist office every 1-3 year for your teeth to be as white as possible. You are also able to use the toothpastes that contain whitening products like hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to help keep your teeth white and clean.

There are other things that can also turn your teeth a darker color. Tobacco use is one of the most common issues with discolored teeth. This would include cigarettes, pipes, chewing tobacco, and smokeless tobacco.

Also, many medications taken can cause a discoloration in the teeth. The antibiotics we use, often times will cause that discoloration. They can cause a blue gray effect if taken over a long period of time.

Fluoride can also cause discoloration in teeth. This is why many times a dentist will recommend that children that are young and still swallowing toothpaste should use a non-fluoride paste or gel.

Along with these reasons you have reasons that a tooth will discolor that does need a dentists attention. Broken teeth, decay, tooth trauma, and other issues that mean the tooth is hurt and in need of repair.

There is also old age; this will cause discoloration in the teeth. This is a pretty normal event for the elderly and you can maintain as white of teeth as possible with good oral hygiene, however the likeliness that there will still be some darkening in time will happen.

Finally there are some fillings and dental work that can cause some discoloration. Discoloration in a white filling is typical. This is because the products used will tend to be less stain resistant than that of a physical live tooth.

Most of the time a tooth-whitening product will remove many of the stains from foods, drinks and medications. However the whitening products will not remove the stains from fillings, decay and damaged teeth. That is why a dentist will have to repair and whiten those teeth.