Daily Fit Tip: Protect your smile

Are your pearly whites not so pearly... or white? You may be surprised at the reasons. Certain foods, drinks, and other items can stain your teeth.

Just like your clothes can get stained, so can your teeth. You may know that coffee, tea, and cigarettes don't do your teeth any favors, but there are many other items that can stain your teeth. AOL Health fills us in on the surprising causes of teeth stains:

• Flouride. Believe it or not, too much flouride can actually cause little white patches on your teeth. Experts suggest using just a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
• Medicine. Certain antibiotics and antihistamines can cause tooth discoloration. If you're concerned, talk to your dentist about the possible effects of any medications you take. If any of your meds cause staining, there may be alternatives you can switch to.
  
• Dark drinks. Coffee and tea aren't the only drinks that can stain your teeth -- red wine, cola, and other dark-colored beverages can also cause staining.

Click over to AOL Health for the complete list.