Dental health: Wellness habits and anxiety impact oral care

Certain wellness habits may inadvertently cause more tooth discoloration than coffee. Arif Al-Suwaidi, CEO of Zental dental clinic, identifies tea, berry smoothies, and functional drinks like turmeric or beetroot lattes as significant contributors to staining. Tea contains tannins that can be harder to remove than coffee stains, while acidic berry smoothies can soften enamel. To mitigate this, experts suggest rinsing with water after tea, eating fruit whole rather than blended, or adding milk to beverages to neutralize pH levels.

Separately, dental anxiety remains a significant barrier to oral healthcare, affecting approximately 36% of the population. This anxiety often leads to the avoidance of routine appointments, which can cause minor issues, such as cavities, to escalate into more complex and painful procedures like root canals.