Summer is over, the temperatures are getting colder and the drinks warmer. However, autumn, with its typical foods, brings with it some risks for dental aesthetics and health. In this article, you will find out which autumnal foods and beverages discolor your teeth, why they do so and how you can prevent discoloration.

The classics: coffee and tea

Many people know that the popular hot drinks containing caffeine cause tooth discoloration. But why is that? This is due to the tannin found in both tea leaves and coffee. This substance protects fruit from rotting - but it also binds to tooth enamel and can therefore lead to tooth discoloration. It also binds proteins, reduces saliva production and dries out the mouth. As a result, the teeth also have less protection against tooth decay.

Red wine, beet and spices

In the colder season of autumn, people like to reach for a rather heavy red wine. This also contains tannins and has the same effect as coffee and tea. However, red wine also contains pigments that attack tooth enamel. This makes it much easier for colorants and bacteria to settle. This results in a purple discoloration of the teeth.

Beetroot, a classic vegetable of the golden season, has a similar discoloration. It contains a high concentration of the colorant betanin. Beet not only stains your clothes slightly - it also stains your teeth.

Some spices that you might use in an autumnal pumpkin soup also contain colorants that can lead to discoloration. Turmeric and curry in particular contain the colorant curcumin, which has a yellowish tint and can stain quickly. The situation is similar with saffron, but the substance responsible for this is called carotenoid dye.

Acid attacks the tooth

Many foods can also passively cause discoloration due to their acid content. Fruit juices, fruit such as apples, but also white wine dissolve the calcium from the deeper layers with their acidity. They act on the tooth enamel, softening it and making it more susceptible to discoloration. The acid also demineralizes the outer protective layer of your teeth, making the dentin, the yellowish layer under the enamel, more visible. The result: the tooth appears darker and discolored.

Easily prevent tooth discoloration

To prevent tooth discoloration, you should maintain regular oral hygiene. In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, you should use dental floss to remove food debris and plaque in the spaces between your teeth.
At the Q dental practice, we also ensure that we prevent tooth discoloration with regular professional dental cleanings. Dental plaque and tartar are removed before they can lead to discoloration.

What you can do to prevent tooth discoloration

Sometimes you notice it too late and tooth discoloration has already set in. Professional teeth cleaning can also help with slight discoloration. The teeth can be whitened again by removing plaque.

For deeper tooth discoloration, bleaching can provide a remedy. You can find out here which bleaching methods we use at the Q dental practice to gently restore the radiance of your smile.