Maintaining good dental hygiene is the cornerstone of overall good health. Whatever goes into the body should be disposed off.  Food enters our body through the mouth. Our teeth perform the important function of breaking food into small pieces, which helps in digestion. For this reason, the teeth should be in good condition at all times. 

HOW TO KEEP OUR TEETH IN GOOD CONDITION

The following things are practiced:

• Brush regularly and properly. One should brush at least twice a day.
• Swish the mouth with water after meals.
• Floss properly.
• Use a toothpaste containing fluoride.
• Use anti-tartar toothpaste and mouthwashes.
• Special toothpaste should be used for sensitive teeth.
• Use tooth-whitening products
• Avoid excessive use of sugary foods.
• Avoid sugary foods before bedtime. If eaten, then the teeth should be cleaned thoroughly.
• Clean the teeth regularly.
• Use a mouthwash.
• Avoid cheap dental products like mouthwash, toothpaste, etc.
• AVOID SOME KINDS OF FOODS.

FOODS TO AVOID

Unknowingly, we consume foods, which damage our teeth enamel, thus leading to their staining.  The structure of the teeth is composed of tooth enamel. The enamel is a hard material protecting the inner tissues of the teeth. Although, the enamel is hard, it is also porous, thus leaving it susceptible to staining by prolonged exposure to certain foods and drinks. The enamel is semi-transparent and has an under layer of dentin.  The dentin stains due to the ingress of colors or dyes into it, through prolonged use of some foods.

These foods are as under:

COLAS: Soft drinks and aerated drinks contain sugar, which has carbon as its main ingredient. Excessive use of such drinks, leads to deposition of sugar particles, in the teeth.  Retention of these particles, leads to their disintegration to the bare ingredients and carbon being black in color stains the teeth.  

COFFEE AND TEA: Tea and coffee contain certain brown and yellow dyes, which stain the teeth in due course of time.  If, these are consumed, then they should be with milk and not in their black form.

BLUEBERRY: This is one of the natural stains for fabric. Likewise, it also stains the teeth.

SMOKING: The nicotine and tar content in cigarettes tend to stain the surface of teeth, making them yellow in a short time. 

Other foods to avoid for preventing staining the teeth are rice, cranberries, mustard, liquor, and red wine