The Signs of Ageing They Never Mention – Teeth Staining

There are a lot of things we eat and drink day to day that can cause teeth staining. Some of it is obvious – coffee, tea and red wine are all classic offenders – but some things are subtler, with stains developing over time. Cola, fruit juices, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and tomato-based sauces are all culprits, containing tannins and acids that cause long term stain build-up. A good rule of thumb to remember is that, if it can stain your lips, tongue or clothes, then it will probably stain your teeth as well. If you have a diet that’s high in acids, you will also find that your teeth turn yellow as you age, as your enamel is worn away and the natural inner parts of your teeth (which are yellow) are exposed. Over years, these staining substances will build up on your teeth, and become more visible as you age. In some ways, this is inevitable, but you can slow down the effect by making sure you rinse and brush your teeth after eating staining foods, and increase the amount of crunchy fruit and veg you eat (as these boost saliva production and scrub your teeth at the same time).