A whitening obsession?

When did our obsession for white teeth begin? Professionally, you can Zoom or BriteSmile your way to pearly whites, but that sets you back hundreds of dollars. And there are the OTC strips, guaranteed to whiten your teeth a few shades, but they take weeks to get results.

Or, avoid foods that stain. WebMD suggests a three-pronged approach. First, eliminate intensely colored food and beverages whose color comes from chromogens, pigmented molecules that latch onto dental enamel. Next target acidic foods and beverages -- brightly colored or not -- which erode dental enamel, soften teeth and make it easier for chromogens to tag along. And avoid tannins, which cause chromogens to attach to enamel.

So if you want a bright smile, say no to:

• Red wine contains both chromogens and tannins, but white wine, too, promotes staining. In a recent New York University School of Dentistry study, teeth exposed to tea were stained more severely if previously exposed to white wine. Makes you rethink your glass of wine with dinner, followed by tea with dessert.

• Black tea, rich in tannins, stains teeth more than coffee, which is loaded with chromogens but low in tannins. Herbal, green and white teas are all less likely to cause stains.

• Dark sodas -- especially cola -- are the worst offenders, but all carbonated sodas have enough acid to promote staining.

• Highly acidic sports drinks can soften tooth enamel.

• Blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, cherries, grapes, pomegranates: They all cause stain.

• Deeply colored sauces -- soy, tomato, curry -- are believed to have significant staining potential.

• If candy, chewing gum, popsicles, or other sweets turn your tongue a funny color, chances are they are doing the same thing to your teeth.

Quick fix: Swish mouth with water or chew sugarless gum.