Five Tooth-Staining Foods and Beverages to Avoid this Holiday Season

The holidays are almost here, and what would the holidays be without the delicious food and drink that we share with our friends, family, and loved ones? Of course, not all food and drink is created equal. When it comes to your teeth, your Kansas City family dentist has a list of some beverages and delicacies that you’ll want to avoid or at least enjoy in moderation.

Naturally, all sorts of sweets become available as the winter months settle in, and anything loaded with sugar isn’t going to be very good for your teeth. That’s a given, and it’s something that you’re probably already well aware of. However, there are lots of other perennial holiday favorites that may seem “safe,” but they can stain, discolor, or cause premature wear and tear to your teeth.

Here are a few tooth-staining foods and beverages to watch out for this holiday season, along with suggestions of what to have instead or how to mitigate the worst of their effects. And of course, whatever you eat and drink this holiday season, be sure to brush after!

Cranberry Sauce – This is a holiday favorite, and for many of us, Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t be the same without it. We understand. Just be aware that those dark, red berries contain lots of pigment that can easily stain your teeth. If you can’t resist a serving or two, just brush afterward or, failing that, rinse your mouth with warm water.

Coffee and Hot Chocolate – When the weather outside is frightful, a warm beverage can seem so delightful. Unfortunately, both coffee and hot cocoa can stain your teeth. In fact, coffee is one of the leading causes of tooth staining. Plus, drinking hot beverages may exacerbate tooth sensitivity, especially when it’s already cold outside.

Holiday Punch – A big bowl of punch is often a staple at holiday get-togethers, but many holiday punch recipes are not only loaded with sugar, and they’re also made from heavily pigmented berries like cranberries, cherries, pomegranates, and so on. The pigment from these berries can do a number on your teeth, especially when it’s combined with the sugar and acidity from the punch.

Wine – A glass of wine is as much a part of many holiday traditions as anything, but red and even white wines can stain your teeth. Sure, red wines have the coloration that you can see immediately, but both kinds of wine are acidic enough to contribute to eroding tooth enamel. Your best bet is to limit your exposure by not sipping over a long period of time.

Candy Canes – Yeah, we already covered how sugar is bad, but we really need to talk about candy canes. Besides being pretty much pure sugar, candy canes have another problem. They stay in your mouth forever, meaning that your teeth stay coated with sugar. What’s more, there’s always that temptation to bite down on them, which can lead to chipped or cracked teeth in no time.

Of course, the holidays just wouldn’t be the same without a few of these indulgences. Just try to go easy on them and brush after, and you can help keep your smile looking great for those holiday photos! And if you need teeth whitening or any other services this season, just call Blacker Family Dental in Kansas City, MO at (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment.