With a New Year starting soon, it’s time to think about your personal goals. What do you want to achieve in the coming year? How can you help yourself get ahead in your career or build some new personal relationships?

One small change can actually jump start your success for this year and the years to come. It’s time for a teeth whitening.

Many different foods and drinks can stain your teeth, especially as you grow older and your tooth enamel develops little crevices and cracks. Some of the holiday favorites that may leave your teeth stained at the end of the year include:

• Coffee– Coffee abounds when the weather grows colder. You may be grabbing some to go as you complete your holiday shopping or maybe you indulged at all the parties you attended this year. Unfortunately, the tannins in coffee can discolor and stain teeth.
• Red Wine– Red wine is a staple at many holiday gatherings, and while it’s great for your overall health in moderation, it’s not the greatest for a white smile. Not only does it have tannins, but it’s also acidic and high in chromogens, which stick to teeth quickly causing stains. Even white wine, while it doesn’t have its own color, still is quite acidic.
• Food Dyes– Any brightly colored drinks and candies, something you see a lot of around the holidays, probably contain food dyes. Food dyes are an aggressive type of coloring, and you’ve probably noticed they can turn your tongue a different color. Unfortunately, they can color your teeth too, leaving you wanting to hide your smile.
• Dark Berries– Dark berries and fruits are very richly pigmented, which means they can stain your teeth. That means grandma’s famous blackberry or blueberry pie could result in stains. Pumpkin, chocolate, or apple pies make a better choice for your teeth. Cranberry sauce and other cranberry-based foods can also stain teeth.

SEE YOUR DENTIST FOR A BRIGHTER WHITER SMILE FOR THE NEW YEAR