The holidays are filled with colors, and so are holiday foods! At parties and special dinners, some foods are more likely to stain your teeth. Some we usually eat only at holidays. But we’re also drinking more and nibbling more. Sure, we’d like to keep some of our holiday spirit through the year, but not on our teeth!

Here are some of the top foods you might encounter at holiday time that can cause stains on your teeth:

• Berries and juices: Cranberry relishes, blueberry pie, fruit juices, artificially colored sodas are just a few tooth-staining culprits. Many of these are highly acidic and can also damage tooth enamel.
• Coffee, tea, wine: Coffee, black tea, and red wine are well known for their potential to stain teeth.
• Artificially colored gum and candy, nuts: There snacks and goodies are everywhere this time of year! Those extra nibbles of candy (including chocolate!) and nuts can leave food stains on your teeth.

And of course, cigarettes and cigars, besides being general health hazards, can also leave ugly stains on your teeth.

You can help minimize tooth stains from holiday foods

• Most parties and snack tables usually include foods that can help combat tooth staining. Crunchy foods like carrots, celery, and apples help cleanse your teeth naturally.
• Take a sip of water occasionally with your coffee, tea or wine. Water can help naturally rinse your teeth.
• Don’t skimp on your dental care routine! Pay extra attention to flossing and brushing to remove food particles and stains.

We’re right on Main Street in Little Falls, NJ. Call us at (973) 256-5001 for a regular checkup, or a consultation for cosmetic dentistry in Little Falls. Dr. Liss offers extensive cosmetic dentistry services, including Opalescence, a tooth whitening treatment that strengthens your teeth as well. To all of you from all of us, have the happiest of holidays this year!