Introduction
If you are a fan of drinking tea and are very conscious of how your pearly whites look, then one pressing question you have may be, “does tea stain your teeth?”.
Some people live their lives on tea. Because tea has an active ingredient that increases serotonin (your happy hormones), it can help boost your energy for the rest of the day. Meanwhile, others often indulge in afternoon tea as a means to socialise.
However you enjoy your tea, it is not a secret that many people consume it. So much so that it is regarded as the second most popular beverage in the world.
But whether you are a passionate or leisurely tea drinker, carry on reading to learn more about tea and how it affects your radiantly white smile.
Does Tea leave stains on the Teeth?
The short answer? Yes. Tea does stain your teeth.
Most especially when consumed more than twice a day and regularly. But seeing any noticeable tea stain may take a while if you are only an occasional tea drinker.
How does tea stain your teeth?
Tea contains an ingredient called tannin. This plant-based compound interacts with the tooth enamel when mixed with the food you eat and your saliva.
Tannin breaks down the white colour of the enamel. As tannin coats your teeth, they become more prone to discolouration.
Aside from herbal teas, coffee and red wine are other drinks with high tannin content.
Types of Tea and Their Effect on Teeth
The darker the tea, the more visible the staining effect. Black tea leaves will cause a darker stain vs green or white tea. Also, if you steep the tea too long, it will produce a richer colour than steeping it for only a few minutes. Consider a less strong tea to avoid enhancing its staining properties.
How Do You Keep Tea From Staining Your Teeth?
If you cannot help drinking coffee or tea, or other drinks that are rich in pigment, you can opt for these tips to prevent tea or coffee stains from lingering on your teeth and affecting your smile:
Consume less
Reducing the number of cups of coffee or tea can significantly help with preventing tooth stains. This will minimise the exposure of your teeth to tannic acids that continuously cause discolouration.
Drink water
After drinking tea, wash away the tannin on your teeth by drinking water. This also goes after you finish your coffee or wine. This will reduce staining, but not prevent stained teeth.
Mix milk with tea
To reduce the concentration of tannins in your tea, mix it with milk. Adding milk will help lighten the colour of your tea before you drink it. This prevents darker staining on the teeth, especially if you cannot reduce the number of cups of tea you consume daily.
Brush and floss your teeth
Brush your teeth and floss your teeth 2 – 3 times a day, especially after drinking your daily coffee or tea. But make sure to wait 30 minutes to avoid the risk of enamel erosion from acids in the mouth.
Consider a whitening toothpaste
Aside from these, you can also incorporate a bleaching ingredient, such as peroxide, in your daily hygiene routine. There are many over-the-counter teeth whitening toothpaste available that can help remove stains to restore and maintain your pearly whites.
Are Tea Stains Permanent?
Here’s the good news: tea stains are reversible!
In general, teeth staining is not permanent. Aside from whitening toothpaste, there are also dentist-prescribed teeth whitening treatments that may combat the effects of staining. At Cosmedica Dental in Turkey, we use laser-accelerated teeth whitening that may remove stains and brighten the smile in under an hour.
You may also opt for veneers or crowns to effectively cover the stains on your teeth. We offer a complete smile makeover with many health benefits at Cosmedica Dental with up to ten Emax veneers to revamp your look.
Consult your dentist to learn about oral health and the best teeth stain treatment for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
One cup of tea may stain the teeth, especially if it is black tea. But, the process may be gradual, and stains may only be visible after a few months.
Unfortunately, all teas contain tannic acid. So, all teas may cause staining. However, black teas cause a darker and faster discolouration compared to light-coloured teas like white or green tea. To lessen the effects of tea staining, opt for the latter two tea types if you cannot eliminate tea from your daily diet just yet.