There are many different things you can do that can help you to keep your teeth looking whiter and brighter. There are also a lot of things you can do that will cause them to look stained, discolored and otherwise unhealthy looking. Reading this helpful short guide is a great place for you to start with regards to making your teeth look as nice and bright as possible.

Watch what you drink

One of the problems a lot of people have with keeping their teeth looking white is they don't put enough thought into what they drink. You may think that because something is in liquid form that it won't have the same effect on your teeth as the things you eat that are solid. However, drinks can do a lot of damage to your teeth, sometimes even more than foods since you tend to sip on them over a longer period of time and don't wash them down with water or floss after. Some of the types of drinks that are especially bad when it comes to staining and/or discoloring your teeth include dark teas, wines, coffee, colored punches, sodas, energy drinks, and alcohol.

Some of the drinks are bad because they contain dyes that stain. Other drinks are bad because they have sugar or acid that can negatively affect the way that your teeth look. Other drinks are bad because they contain ingredients that cause you to dehydrate and the drier your mouth is, the easier it is for things to happen like staining, cavities, and even bad breath.

Watch what you eat

Of course, you will also want to be sure to eat foods that don't lead to staining and make sure you brush and floss after consuming foods that can discolor your teeth. Also, foods that are very high in acid can be bad for your teeth because they will help strip some of the enamel from your teeth. The thinner your enamel is, the more the center color of your teeth will show through, and this causes your teeth to look darker. When enamel is the issue, teeth whitening treatments won't help. Instead, you will need to have something like bonding or porcelain veneers put on your teeth to get them white again.

Foods made with food coloring are going to be especially bad. If you have ever had food coloring get on your fingers, you know just how bad it can stain. You don't want to have this happen to your teeth. This is why it's best to stick with naturally colored foods.