In order to keep your smile bright and beautiful, you should regularly brush and floss your teeth as well as visit the dentist for checkups. You should also watch your diet, because the foods and drinks you consume may contribute to discolorations in your pearly whites. Here are 12 foods and drinks to avoid in excess because they can stain your smile.
Pigmented Drinks
The tooth enamel that surrounds and protects your teeth has a rough surface that easily traps the pigments from foods and drinks. Darker pigments are especially staining, and they can be found in beverages like:

  • Coffee: dark pigments
  • Tea: contains tannin
  • Cola: dark pigments and acid that attacks tooth enamel
  • Hot chocolate: dark pigments

Other Drinks
Even if a drink does not contain dark pigments, it can still stain your teeth if it contains acid that eats away at tooth enamel. Sugars are also harmful because oral bacteria use them to produce acid. Some beverages to watch out for include:

  • Soda: acid and sugar that creates more acids
  • Sports Drinks: sugars that create acid
  • Wine: acid (red wine also contains dark pigments)

Foods
Foods containing pigments and acids can be especially harmful if they stick to your teeth. Some of these foods include:

  • Soy sauce: dark pigments
  • Pasta sauce: dark pigments and acidic tomatoes
  • Curry: deep yellow pigment
  • Balsamic vinegar: dark pigments and it sticks to teeth
  • Berries: dark pigments