First impressions are very important in today's society.  Your smile is one of the first things people will notice when they first see or meet you, so it is essential to take great care of your teeth.  Nothing can make you look as good as a bright smile, so one of the best things you can do is know what foods can discolor your teeth and try to avoid consuming them extremely often. 

    Tobacco (chewing and cigarettes), tea, coffee, red wine, soft drinks, juices

This first group of products that can discolor your teeth are the most commonly consumed, but perhaps the most damaging.  All of these different items contain dark compounds that are absorbed by the enamel and can quickly tarnish your teeth.  Teeth bleaching is relatively effective in removing these kinds of stains; however, if you continue to use and drink these products, it is more than likely that the stains will return.  The best way to alleviate the discoloration brought on by these drinks and products is to cut back significantly or quit all together.

    Dark Fruit, chocolate

This next group is the dark and acidic foods.  Dark fruits include blueberries, purple grapes, blackberries, etc.  Chocolate is also considered a food that can discolor teeth if not eaten in moderation.  The general rule is, if it could stain your carpet, it will stain your teeth.  These foods are superficial, so using a teeth bleaching system will generally be effective in removing these stains, but again, the best way to maintain a bright smile is to cut back on the intake of them. 

While these foods and products are the main culprits in dulling and staining your teeth, there are some foods that you can eat that can help you keep a brilliant smile.

    Summer fruits, cheese, milk

Any fruits that are in season during the summer, such as melons, can help you maintain brighter teeth.  These fruits can help prevent stains and are less likely to cause cavities than the darker fruits.  Cheese, milk, or any foods that are low in acidity are foods that can help reduce cavities and are less likely to cause stains.

If you have been a regular consumer of any of the foods, drinks or products that can cause stains, it's not too late to reverse the damage.  Depending on how bad the stains are, there are different things you can do to whiten your teeth.

    Yellow Stains

If you have yellow stains, these will be the easiest to get rid of.  Yellow stains are the most common simply because it is natural for teeth to yellow as you get older.  The good news is any type of at-home teeth whiteners or even whitening toothpaste should eliminate these stains. 

    Brownish Stains

If the stains on your teeth are a brownish color, they may be a little harder to remove.  However, it is very possible.  Talk to your dentist about in-office procedures or even just getting a higher concentration of bleach.  Those procedures should remove or significantly reduce the appearance of stains.

    Gray or Purplish Stains

These stains are the most difficult to remove or reduce, if it is even possible.  If you have these kinds of stains, it may be your genetics that are causing this discoloration.  While you can try bleaching products, you will probably find the most effective procedures will be laser treatments or veneers.

The best thing you can do is know what foods and products you should stay away from and steer clear of them to avoid staining and discoloring your teeth.  However, it is never too late to brighten your smile by using teeth bleaching procedures and then reducing or eliminating your intake of those products.