How the Deep Stains from Tannins Can Ruin Your Smile

When it comes to what contributes to great smile aesthetics, having bright-white teeth is nearly at the top of the list. However, there is an ingredient found in certain foods and beverages that can contribute to deep and dark stains: tannins. What are they and how do they contribute to a blemished grin? A dentist at Love Field answers and explains what you can do to maintain an attractive smile!

Tannins Explained

Found abundantly in nature, tannins are a group of bitter and astringent compounds. They can be found in the wood, bark, leaves and fruit of various plants, including oak, rhubarb, tea, walnut, cranberry, cacao and grapes.

The purpose of tannins is to make plants unpalatable. The goal is to deter animals from eating them until they are ripe. As a hinderance, the tannins produce an unpleasant mouth-coating feeling when bitten into.

Tannins and Tooth Enamel Interaction

In addition to protecting plants from being prematurely eaten, tannins produce rich colors. This is especially notable in grapes, their rich hues the result of the tannins reacting with chromogens (chemical compounds that produce colors).

This can spell bad news for your smile aesthetics. The outer layer of the teeth (the enamel) is porous, which can become especially problematic when drinking a beverage like red wine, as the tannins can be easily absorbed.

How to Prevent Stains and Discoloration

Here’s what you can do to protect your smile:

• Limit your consumption of red wine and other darkly pigmented foods and beverages.
• If you choose to indulge, be sure to brush and floss afterwards.
• If you can’t perform dental hygiene, drink a glass of water immediately after consuming darkly colored foods or beverages. This will help remove some of the leftover tannins.

How to Revamp Your Smile

If tannins have already started to alter the appearance of your ivories, you may consider professional teeth whitening. Whether done in-office or with a take-home kit, you can achieve remarkable results.

For a more budget conscious approach, you can try out store-bought whiteners. While they generally take longer and don’t provide the same results as professional whitening agents, they can deliver some benefits over time.

While avoiding tannins is one of the best ways to limit the possibility of teeth stains and discoloration, you don’t want to lead a life devoid of any pleasures. By monitoring your intake of items that could cause stains, adhering to the above tips and regularly visiting a dentist for checkups and cleanings, you can maintain your smile and confidence!

About the Author

The professionals at Bear Creek Family Dentistry understand that patients are concerned about more than just oral health. That’s why they provide cosmetic dental solutions, which includes teeth whitening. For more information or to schedule an initial consultation with a skilled and creative dentist, visit their website.