Have you ever caught your reflection while smiling and noticed your teeth weren’t as bright as you remembered? That moment when you see stained teeth looking back at you can be quite a wake-up call. You might ask yourself when this happened, how they got this way, and most importantly—what can you do about it?

According to Perth CBD Dentist Dental O So Gentle, achieving a whiter smile doesn’t need to break the bank, but it does require consistent attention.

The truth is, the foods and drinks we consume play a major role. We all have our favorites that we enjoy during special moments—birthdays, anniversaries, family gatherings, and countless other occasions. While we shouldn’t stop celebrating life’s pleasures, we can take some simple steps to help keep our teeth from yellowing over time.

So keep having your favorites but try some of these habits to keep that staining under control:

Coffee and Tea, The Dark Side of Beverages

Coffee and tea are most people’s go to in the mornings but drinking them can come at a cost to your teeth, because these are dark-coloured beverages of course they are going to stain your white teeth or at least discolour them. The staining comes from the tannins in them.

One solution to the problem is to go for herbal teas that are lighter coloured and have less tannins in them, but whether your drinking tea or coffee ( there is no way I’m giving up my morning coffee) remember to always wash and rinse your mouth with warm water or even brush your teeth if you can.

Citrus and Acidic Foods The Sour Truth

Lemons, oranges and most other citrus fruits are armed with Vitamin C and goodness, but despite these good properties, they are very acidic and greatly affect the enamel on your teeth by eroding and discolouring them.

The good news is you really don’t have to ditch these fruits completely,  you can have them in moderation or maybe eat them with cheese, it is a good neutralizer against the acidic citrus and really yummy too.

And like tea and coffee rinsing your mouth out after your treat can help clean the teeth.

Sticky Situation: Candy and Sugary Sweets

Most people have a sweet tooth that cant be stopped but remember candy is hard and loves to stick too your teeth, which can then make cavities for bacteria to grow and ruin your teeth and cause them to discolor as well.

You can cut down on the candies and sweets all together or try choosing sugar free gum and lollies, there are many different types around, You can also make every second treat a more healthier option like crunchy fruit and vegetables or nuts.

Balsamic Vinegar and Soy Sauce The Hidden Teeth Tarnish

Balsamic vinegar and soy sauce are dark condiments which are known for staining your teeth, if you are good at brushing your teeth after every meal you don’t really have a problem, but if your a little lazy on the oral hygiene routine, it would be best to cut out all dark condiments for good.

Paradox of the Red Wine

We all know that red wine is good for your heart and full of antioxidants, but it has tannins and chromogens in it and these stain and discolour your teeth every sip.

We all love our red wine to wind down at the end of a hard day, or to celebrate some good times but be mindful to wash your mouth out after each glass, not only will your teeth stay whiter, your alcohol level will be lower. Win win really.

So remember you don’t have to give up on eating your favourite foods and drinks, just to keep your teeth white, it’s all about having a balance, like the best of both worlds, have your treats but also go for healthier options too.

If you keep your dental care routine on track and use the knowledge above, your smile should stay white and healthy for your whole life’s journey, and you will be able to do it with a confident smile.

And remember you can also ask your dentist about teeth whitening if all else fails.