If you've spent your hard-earned time and money on teeth whitening, the last thing you want to do is ruin your progress with the wrong foods and drinks. Rather than avoid them forever, though, the dentists at South Glastonbury, CT's Nayaug Family Dental want to promote a better understanding of how certain foods and beverages affect your teeth. Anyone considering or currently taking part in teeth whitening procedures will want to take note of the following list.

5 Foods & Drinks That Ruin Teeth Whitening Efforts

1. Berries

As healthy as fruits like blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, and blackberries are, their deep colors hint at a serious drawback. Eat them however you like—juices, jams, or whole—but these tiny delights have great potential for teeth staining. 

2. Wine

Red wine is one of the most commonly cited drinks when dentists are talking about staining, so exercise moderation and be sure not to slack on your teeth cleaning habits after a few glasses. White wine is more acidic than red, so it can cause damage on top of discoloration.  

3. Pasta Sauce

Everyone loves tomato sauce on their pasta, but this sauce’s acidity, hue, and teeth-clinging capabilities promote staining. Eating a salad beforehand can help build up a protective film, so make sure you order a leafy appetizer before chowing down on spaghetti.

4. Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinaigrette is a great topping, but it's not the best teeth whitening assistant. Due to its sticky, dark-colored nature, it will stain if its effects are not mitigated with the help of chewy lettuce or a good scrubbing with a toothbrush. 

5. Coffee & Tea

Everyone loves a good cup of coffee in the morning, but this beverage tops the list of things that stain your teeth. Tea isn’t much better, either: It has tannins, and the drink’s hue may stain your teeth in undesirable ways.

Moderation is key, and it’s important to drink lots of water and stick to a healthy dental care regimen to keep your smile looking bright. And if it needs a little help in that department, turn to Nayaug Family Dental for teeth whitening services. Call their office at (860) 633-6167 to speak to a member of their staff, or visit them online for more information.