By EKalman May 12, 2025 - 1:43am

Keeping your teeth white isn’t just about using whitening products or visiting the dentist for professional treatments. One of the best ways to maintain a bright smile is by avoiding the habits and foods that cause staining in the first place. You might be surprised at some of the things that can discolor your teeth — some of them are part of your daily routine.

Even if you’ve used whitening strips or had your teeth professionally whitened, you probably already try to stay away from obvious culprits like coffee and smoking. But there are a few lesser-known reasons your teeth might not look as white as you'd like.

Let’s go over six common things that could be leaving stains on your teeth — and what you can do to prevent it.

1. Using Mouthwash With Certain Ingredients
Mouth rinses and washes with chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride can actually stain your teeth, so it’s essential to check your labels or ask a dental specialist for their best recommendation. Moreover, some dentists claim that mouthwash is a waste of money.

2. Drinking Dark-Colored Beverages
Coffee. Tea. Soda. Red wine. Yep — classic culprits when it comes to staining your teeth. They’ve all got tannins in them, which are these sneaky little compounds that love to cling to your enamel and leave behind that not-so-white look.
Not ready to ditch your daily latte or that end-of-day glass of red? Totally fair. Just sip through a straw when you can — it cuts down on how much hits your teeth. And if you're not into straws, at least rinse with water afterward. Bonus points if you snack on crunchy stuff like apples or celery after. They help scrub things off while you chew.

3. Eating Dark-Colored Fruits
Natural sweets like dark berries, including blueberries, blackberries, and pomegranates, taste delicious and are good for your overall health, but they can also wreak havoc on the brightness of your tooth enamel.

These dark berries contain a compound called chromogens that produce a pigment that’s difficult to rub off. Even in full recipes like pies or cakes, the berries can stain your teeth. Your best bet when it comes to enjoying a bowl of fruit is to stick to lighter colors that contain more water, like cantaloupe and watermelon.

4. Eating Foods With Bold Spices Like Curry
Curry is loaded with flavor, and it’s a favorite in many dishes. But the spices used to make curry, especially turmeric, have strong pigments that can cling to your teeth. If you eat curry often, it can slowly turn your teeth yellow over time.

To help reduce staining, try pairing curry with fiber-rich foods like carrots, celery, or apples. These foods act almost like a gentle scrub for your teeth while you chew.

5. Skipping Strawberries in Your Diet
Here’s something helpful — strawberries can actually help clean your teeth. They contain malic acid, a natural compound that may help remove surface stains. You can even mash a couple of strawberries with a tiny amount of baking soda and apply it to your teeth for a minute or two as a quick DIY whitening treatment. Just don’t overdo it, and make sure to rinse well afterward.

Adding strawberries to your diet is an easy and healthy way to support both your overall health and your smile.

6. Using Balsamic Vinegar Often
Balsamic vinegar is another common reason for tooth discoloration. It’s dark, acidic, and sticks easily to your enamel. If you use it regularly on salads or in recipes, it can slowly darken your teeth, especially if you don’t brush soon after eating.

To avoid stains, try mixing balsamic vinegar with foods that help clean your teeth as you chew. Lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, croutons, and other crunchy salad toppings can help reduce staining by rubbing against your teeth naturally.