Food Colourings and their Effect on Teeth

A look at the staining properties of foods on our teeth.

Few of us these days perhaps, eat a diet entirely made up of fresh food, relying at least occasionally on takeaway food, supermarket ready meals or even sandwiches and other ready made snacks.

Although many of these are becoming more healthy due to general awareness by the public, many do still contain food colourings which are designed to make the food more appealing to our eyes, and therefore more likely to be purchased.

Stained Teeth

Whilst tobacco is probably by far still the biggest culprit when it comes to heavily stained teeth, food colourings too may also cause discolouration, especially if used over a period of time. Even some very natural colourings such as the spice, turmeric, can cause discolouration when eaten frequently.

The effects of these food colourings are highly unlikely to be noticed immediately, but the effects can build up over a period of time, the length of which may depend upon how regularly we eat these.

Teeth whitening

Although many of us love our convenience foods and takeaways, we also like to have white teeth. As the two often don’t go together, you may wish to consider having a teeth whitening procedure to return to your teeth to an attractive, lighter shade.

At our Sutton Coldfield dental practice, conveniently situated for patients from wider Birmingham, we offer two types of teeth whitening procedures.

The first of these is the Wy10 system which is carried out at our dental practice. This is a fast acting procedure performed by one of our fully trained cosmetic dentists. Following this treatment, you will notice an instant and distinctive improvement in the colour of your teeth.

We also offer a home whitening kit for those that prefer to have their teeth whitened in the comfort of their own home. This is a longer process with the full results not fully noticeable until the procedure is completed, approximately a fortnight later.

For those with heavily stained teeth or those seeking to gain the maximum benefit from their whitening procedure, a combination of the two procedures will give excellent results.

Initially, we suggest that you have the Wy10 procedure. If this does not produce the level of whiteness that you desire, this may be followed up with the home whitening kit.

Although avoiding teeth discolouring foods may be one approach; in the Birmingham area there is such a wide choice of delicious fare available that most of us will succumb at least occasionally. With this in mind, it is reassuring to know that Arthur House Dental Care can help to restore the whiteness of your teeth quickly and effectively.

Please call us at our Sutton Coldfield dental practice on 0121 323 4492 for more information.