Don’t put ketchup on your chips… and stop drinking white wine! These are the 10 fastest ways to stain your teeth

IF you want to keep your teeth pearly white, you may want to steer clear of drinking wine tonight.

We all know red can stain your teeth but, according to an expert, white is equally bad for your gnashers.

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Our growing obsession with dental hygiene means per cent of Brits have now had their teeth whitened, and we spend nearly £2billion a year improving them.

If you’ve already ditched the coffee, but are yet to see an improvement, these are ten other foods and drinks to avoid – according to dentist Tariq Idrees, the owner of  in Manchester.

1. Tomato ketchup

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Ketchup is acidic and red in colour. And if it stains your T-shirt, it will also colour your teeth.

2. White wine

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White wine is actually more acidic than red, so it may cause more damage and discolouring to the teeth.

While its tannins (a binding biomolecule) will actually attract other stains.

3. Soy Sauce/Balsamic vinegar

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Again – if it stains your clothes, it will also stain your teeth.

4. Indian Takeaways

Chicken tikka masala is one of Britain’s favourite meals, but that bright orange paste isn’t good for your pearly whites.

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Dr Idrees said: "All Indian food which is rich in colour is bad for your teeth. It tends to be made with lots of artificial colouring which can badly stain your teeth.

"Go easy on turmeric when you are making a curry at home or doing other spicing. Turmeric is rich in colour and easily stains your teeth."

5. Fruit teas

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He added: "We all know that tea and coffee can stain our teeth but fruit based teas, green and strawberry and raspberry, are especially bad. They are rich in colour and tannins which leave surface staining on your teeth."

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6. Pasta sauce

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"Tomatoes in pasta sauce cause can leave your teeth vulnerable to staining because of their acidity, bright red colour and tendency to cling to the teeth.

"You can protect your teeth beforehand by dining on some dark green vegetables - broccoli, kale, rocket or spinach - to create a protective film over the teeth.

"The film will ward off tomatoes' staining effect, so opt for a green salad as a starter."

7. Ice lollies

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"Lollies contain colourants that will transfer to the teeth and embed in the porous enamel."

8. Pickles

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Again, they're too acidic. Yet another reason to ask for the gerkins to be taken out of your burger.

9. Coke

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Highly acidic and very rich in colour.

10. Berries

"Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries - all berries rich in colour should be avoided if you want a bright smile. The acid and the strong colours easily stain your teeth."

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Even if you clean your teeth straight after eating, it will only remove around half of the stain.

While whitening toothpastes can do more harm than good, because they destroy your teeth’s natural protection.

Which means the best, and easiest, way to keep your teeth white is to steer well clear of these foods and drinks.

Or use a straw to bypass your smile (although probably not with wine!)