29 Shades Of Yellow: Secretly Teeth-Staining Substances You're Probably Using

Everybody knows that coffee, red wine, and most fun and flavorful things can stain the heck out of your teeth. We here have taken to calling our pearly whites our muddy yellows. There are ways to treat staining, but isn't it better to take preventative measures?? Below, find 29 foods, drinks, and habits that can secretly stain your smile-makers. Sorry, sorry…we’re running out of cutesy phrases for “teeth.”

1. Sugar…anything

Here's how it works: bacteria go to town on the sugars you ingest. They convert the sugars to acids. Acids erode your enamel and cause your teeth to decay. Plus, this process does nothing for your minty fresh breath.

2. Citrus

Limes, lemons, oranges, and grapefruit are great for your health – but they're high in citric acid, which can seriously erode your precious enamel. If you're going to have these fruits or their juices, swish your mouth with plain water afterwards.

3. Light-colored and Clear Soda

News flash: soda has zero nutritional value and is actually – gasp! – bad for you. Even if you're avoiding the caramel coloring in your cola of choice, the acidity and sugar in even the clearest of sodas can mess with your enamel.

4. Sweetened energy/sports drinks

Electrolytes and vitamins sure do sound like good things. But in your standard energy drink – even the low-cal version – you're getting more sugar water than anything else. Ain't nobody got time for expensive sugar water.

5. White Wine

Sorry, Aunt Lori – you might as well be swigging antioxidant-rich (ahem) red. While white wine doesn't directly stain your teeth, it does erode enamel – which leaves you more vulnerable to staining from other substances.

6. At-home teeth-whitening kits

If this seems paradoxical, it's because IT IS. It's easy to get addicted to the immediate effects of at-home whitening treatments – but if you use them too frequently or leave the treatments on for too long, you can actually seriously damage your enamel. If your teeth hurt after a whitening treatment, it's time to lay off for a few days. If your teeth are clear and have a bluish tint, you've gone too far.

7. Sesame oil

Attention, all holistic health nuts: if you're using ye olde sesame for your morning ritual of oil pulling, you might find that your teeth take on a brownish tinge after a while. Swap it for coconut oil or something lighter in color, and you're golden.

8. Soy sauce

Listen, we're not trying to make you give up your beloved "healthy" sushi habit or your post-bar takeout binges. It's your life. But highly pigmented – and salty – soy sauce can be a mean stain-maker. Rinse with water after eating it (or, for some of you, washing down your fish with it) to avoid yellowing.

9. Tomato sauce

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie…your teeth look crazy. Like soy sauce, bright tomatoes can do crazy things to your teeth.

10. Dark berries

For the love of all that is good and naturally sweet, don't cut out blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries from your diet. Instead, rinse your maw with water after partaking. (Also, try to avoid eating these berries with extra sugar – they're best on their own.)

11. Juice boxes

God help the kindergarteners – they know not what they do to their teeth. Grape and cranberry juice – not to mention sweetened blends like fruit punch – are, in theory, made of crushed up berries. So avoid overly sweetened versions and rinse well with water afterwards.

12. Pickles

Vinegar is acidic; most pickle-makers also add sugar to their product. Pickled veggies are great for your digestive system – and delicious, to boot – but the acidic, sugary brine can wreak havoc on your enamel. Once again: rinse.

13. Ketchup

Tomato sauce sweetened with sugar: you know what's up.

14. Balsamic vinegar

Again, vinegar is great for the ol' digestive tract (shudder)…but super-dark balsamic can do a double-whammy on your dental hygiene. Rinse down that caprese salad with some red wine…and then some water.

15. Red beets

The one food that is truly unforgettable, red beets turn everything from your fingers to your, ahem, excess nutrient output a bright pink color. And if they can transform your BMs, you can bet they do a number on your bright white teeth. #themoreyouknow

16. Curry

Another hard-to-forget food, curry powder colors your world…and anything it touches.

17. Mouthwash

The man's getting us down again! Long story short, many mouthwash brands are high in alcohol and contain chlorhexidine gluconate – an antiseptic that's meant to kill bacteria and fight off plaque. That antiseptic action can actually react with your enamel and turn it brown in places. Gnarly, dude!

18. Herbal tea

Black tea stains your teeth, blah blah blah. But if you're drinking highly pigmented herbal potions, they can do a bit of damage too.

19. Drinking like a civilized human being

If you use a regular glass or mug to drink from, your cup of whatever can damage your teeth. To avoid tooth damage and subject yourself to workplace embarrassment, use a straw or sippy cup whenever possible.

20. Processed carbohydrates

Crackers, good ol' white bread, and other packaged carbs usually contain sugar – and even if they're "clean," the grain base turns into sugar in your body. Sugar bad for teeth. Caveman eat veggies.

21. Pepto-Bismol

Our childhood drug of choice, the sticky pink stuff can temporarily turn your teeth and tongue black. It's temporary, sure – but the implications are not good.

22. Dried fruit

Your yogurt and granola breakfast/homemade trail mix/convenient and healthy snack is virtuous. The dried fruit itself is not. Dried fruit is dehydrated fruit, which means a high concentration of sugar and very little water. Limit your intake and rinse well.

23. Being a vampire

If you're not getting enough sunlight, your teeth are suffering. The magic trio for bone and tooth health is comprised of vitamin D (sunlight), vitamin K2 (grass-fed butter and hard cheeses, and organ meats), and vitamin A (found in egg yolks and other animal products).

24. Ignoring nutrient-dense foods

See above: avoiding added sugars will get you far. But your teeth need actual minerals and nutrients – which you'll find in fresh produce and healthily raised animals.

25. Still not flossing

We know…we know. Flossing is the worst. But it's the best thing for your teeth. Stay with us here: when you floss, you prevent plaque buildup between your teeth. Which prevents plaque buildup all over. Which prevents staining. Whew!

26. Beans, beans, the magical fruit

Beans and legumes are high in phytic acid, which binds to and inhibits absorption of those tooth-saving minerals mentioned earlier. If you're really trying to boost your dental health, limit your intake of these foods.

27. Hating broccoli

The hard truths of adulthood; broccoli and lettuce can both protect your teeth from crazy staining agents. Even worse: you have to eat more than one bite for it to work.

28. Not drinking enough water

Water consumption helps your mouth produce saliva. Saliva helps ward off bacteria and infection. Not enough water = too much risk of infection. Capiche?

29. Not chewing properly

Were you raised by wolves? Good, because even wild animals know how to chew their food before swallowing. Chewing is a workout for your jaw and teeth, and chewing produces saliva. Don't embarrass your date: chew like you mean it.

Feeling paranoid yet? Don't worry too much. Basically, avoid an excess of sugar and drink plenty of water. Your teeth will be singing your praises for years to come.