How To Prevent Tea And Coffee Stains On Your Teeth
Although your teeth may maintain good health while drinking coffee and tea, these beverages will stain them and make them appear unhealthy and yellow. Thankfully, there are some preventative measures you can take when you drink your coffee or tea to ensure that your teeth dont become stained.
One way to do this, is by adding milk to your beverage. Milk not only lightens the color of the coffee or tea, but it also has protein, which attaches to the polyphenols in the coffee. So, rather than attaching to your teeth and staining them, the polyphenols move straight to your stomach instead.
Drinking coffee without caffeine can also minimize staining, as it has less polyphenols. You can also try drinking your coffee or tea through a straw to reduce the contact it has with your teeth.
But, perhaps one of the best ways to prevent stains is by brushing your teeth 30 minutes after drinking coffee. This removes any remaining residue from the coffee or tea before it starts to stain your teeth. By waiting 30 minutes, youll allow your saliva to neutralize any acids in your mouth without causing any damage to your plaque.
How To Get Red Wine Stains Off Teeth
Luckily, there are several methods to get red wine stains off teeth. For those short-term purplish stains, try drinking water and lightly swishing it around your mouth. You can also purchase wine wipes, a product specifically designed to fight off wine stains.
Another tip is to eat cheese while drinking wine. Wine and cheese are already a great pairing, and eating naturally produces saliva. Saliva rinses plaque, bacteria, and short-term color stains from your teeth. Plus, cheese contains calcium, strengthening the enamel instead of breaking it down3.
If youve noticed more long-term staining, some toothpastes and home whitening kits may help. However, some home whitening kits actually break down tooth enamel, ultimately making matters worse. Consult with your dentist first, or consider professional whitening in a dentists office.
How To Remove Tea Stains From Plastic
Plastics can quickly absorb color, and if said plastic has any scratches on its surface, the tint can seep into these cracks and scratches and make the plastic look grimy and repulsive.
An uncomplicated method that works well is the baking soda and water mixture mentioned in the previous point. Ideally, scrub the plastic surface gently with a mixture of baking soda and water. Rub the mixture into the stain with a fine cloth, to avoid further scratching the plastic.
You may even want to keep the plastics soaked in a baking soda and warm water mixture overnight, if your stains are particularly stubborn. Wash and rinse your plastics with liquid detergent and water, repeating the cycle if necessary. Your plastics should end up in a better-looking condition than before.
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How To Remove Coffee Stains From Teeth Naturally
See, you dont have to splash a lot of money on expensive teeth whitening products to get rid of coffee stains, as there are super easy things you can do to make your teeth whiter.
Below are a few of them.
Dietary changes
Dont consume food and beverages that contain tannins regularly. However, if you must consume them daily, then you should brush your teeth 30 minutes after you do. You are probably wondering why you have to wait for 30 minutes to brush your teeth. Well, the reason is that coffee contains acid that wears the enamel. If you brush too soon you may damage your teeth.
Oil pulling
This is a term used to describe washing the mouth with oil to remove harmful bacteria, dirt, and debris. Although it is not a substitute for regular brushing, some research has shown that washing the mouth with oil can help whiten the teeth. Here is how to get rid of coffee stains through oil pulling rinse your mouth with oil for 60 seconds and spit it out.
Below are some oils you can use:
- Sesame oil
- Sunflower oil
Teeth whitening fruit
Certain fruits are rich in special compounds and enzymes that can help whiten your teeth. Pineapples and papayas are good examples of them. Consuming them regularly will go a long way in helping your teeth become whiter.
A study that was conducted in 2012, showed just how effective these fruits are, having elements with teeth whitening properties.
Methods that dont work and can harm your teeth.
- Activated charcoal
- Oranges
Hydrogen Peroxide To Remove Stains From Teeth
Hydrogen Peroxide is a well-known antibacterial agent and is used for many health conditions. Here also it works as a total mouth disinfectant. Hydrogen Peroxide keeps your mouth and teeth free from harmful bacteria and germs.
Make a solution with equal quantities of Hydrogen peroxide and warm water. Swish the solution inside your mouth thoroughly for about a minute and rinse off the mouth properly with water. Repeat once or twice a day.
Certain studies quote that hydrogen peroxide provides a fresh breath by the removal of the bad bacteria in the mouth. Particularly, it is also a teeth stain remover and provides natural protection for teeth from gingivitis and periodontitis diseases.
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How To Remove Tea Stains From Teeth
Prevention is always the best option. However, once you have the stained teeth, how do you remove the stains?
Some of the points above will be useful here as well. They may not remove stains completely but you might notice that the stains will decrease over time.
- Use a whitening toothpaste
- Use an at home whitening kit peroxide strips that fit across your teeth act a little longer than the whitening toothpaste and will be more effective.
- See your dentist. They will get your teeth to the best possible state. They may custom fit you with a bleaching tray to take home. This is a more expensive option than over the counter choices but will also work much more quickly.
- Some chewing gums are designed to reduce teeth stains.
Will Drinking Coffee Make My Teeth Darker
In a study conducted in 2014 researchers took a sample of 45 teeth which have had teeth whitening and expose them to a variety of drinks including coffee, tea, cola and red wine All classically associated with staining teeth.
I actually found that there was no statistical difference with coffee, when compared to the control group which had artificial saliva in contact with the tooth.
However, there was a statistical difference with tea, cola and red wine which led the researchers to conclude that:
“Following tooth whitening, patients should avoid drinks that cause tooth staining, particularly red wine, tea and cola.”
Having said that, if your teeth have cracks caused by trauma to your teeth then these cracks can certainly pick up all manner of stains, also a big cause of teeth looking darker after drinking coffee is when the plaque which is naturally over your teeth hardens into tartar between your teeth. This tartar is far more porous than your natural tooth structure and far more likely to attract stain.
The good news is that this tartar can easily be removed by visiting your dental hygienist and then maintaining a good oral hygiene routine to keep your pearly whites white.
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Other Oral Health Effects Of Coffee
Like any beverage that is not water, coffee can lead to bacteria growth in the mouth. This can cause tooth enamel erosion. Teeth can become thin and brittle.
Learn more about the best teeth whitening methods.
Drinking coffee can also lead to bad breath or halitosis because it lingers on the tongue. To avoid these oral health issues, eat food before drinking coffee and use a tongue scraper and toothbrush after drinking coffee.
Does Coffee Cause Tooth Decay?
Coffee is a very acidic beverage, so drinking a lot of it can result in tooth enamel erosion. It is essential to know that coffee stains do not erode enamel, which is the tooths protective outer layer. Substances high in acidity are more likely to weaken the enamel of your teeth.
As the enamel wears away, the dentin layer that coats your teeth is exposed. This results in a darkened yellow or brown appearance. The tooth enamel preserves teeth by protecting them against decay and sensitivity.
What Causes Brown Stains On Teeth
Brown stains on teeth are quite common. This type of discoloration can be prevented by making lifestyle adjustments or getting dental care. The stains can range in appearance from yellowish-brown to blackish-brown. Some might have sporadic, blotchy patches while others have brown outlines. Lets take a look at some of the causes of brown stains on teeth.
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How Do I Instantly Remove Stains On Teeth
If your teeth appear discolored, there are methods that you can use to remove stains, but it usually takes time.
Various treatment options can deal with teeth stains. You can keep your teeth healthy and clean by maintaining a regular oral hygiene regimen which includes brushing the teeth at least two times a day followed by daily flossing, yearly visits to your dentist, and limiting the consumption of teeth-staining foods and beverages. Remember that regular whitening maintenance can keep your teeth whiter and brighter.
Regardless of the discoloration that you have, you can try several safe, over-the-counter teeth-whitening products. You can also ask your dentist for suggestions on the best whitening options to remove the stains and discoloration.
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Reduce Stains Caused By Tea
Drinking tea can cause lasting discoloration, but it is possible to reduce staining by developing healthy oral care habits.
At home, simple things such as brushing your teeth regularly can help. Brushing twice a day is good, but brushing immediately after you drink a cup of tea is even better. Drinking water after a cup of tea can help reduce the amount of tannin left in your mouth, too. Switching from black tea to herbal or green teas can also reduce staining, although it will not eliminate the problem altogether.
For added stain fighting, try brushing with Colgate Optic WhiteTM, which can whiten teeth up to three shades and starts to show results within one week.
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Does Red Wine Stain Teeth
Red wine teeth stains are especially common. Thats because red wine contains high levels of all three staining components: acid, tannins, and chromogens.
Acid breaks down tooth enamel, which is the thin outer covering of the tooth. Worn enamel makes your teeth more vulnerable to damage and decay. As the enamel erodes, teeth may also begin to appear yellow.
Tannins are chemical compounds that give wine its bitterness and astringency1, while chromogens are chemical compounds that give red wine its color2. Both may cling to weakened enamel, resulting in dull, stained, or discolored teeth.
How To Prevent Tea Stains On Teeth In The First Place
A wholesome steaming cup of tea can have wonderful effects on you mind and body, releasing you from the stress that comes with daily life. However, regular consumption of tea can also expose your teeth to nasty stains.
Additionally, we humans are prone to accidents, regardless of how careful we may be. Slips, falls, and spills are common at any age, and when a steaming cup of your favorite brew tumbles out of your hands, stains are inevitable.
Regular brushing and flossing will help keep stains from building up on your teeth. Regular cleaning will keep tea stains from ruining your cups and teapots. And taking care when drinking tea will help keep stains from your clothes or a precious carpet. Hold your cup with a firm grip and do not fill it all the way to the brim.
If you do end up with tea stains, the quick and simple cleaning tips above should have your clothing, carpet, cups, pots or teeth looking as good as new in no time.
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How To Remove Wine Stains From Your Teeth
Wine is arguably the alcohol with the best reputation. Its seen as classier and more socially acceptable, and we often hear that drinking it in moderation even offers some health benefits. Like other types of alcohol, however, wine can have a negative impact on both your physical health and appearance over time, including tooth stains.
While stained teeth wont directly damage your health, they may damage your confidence. So, are wine stains on your teeth permanent? What can you do to remove these wine stains, or to prevent them from happening in the first place?
How To Clean Stained Dentures Using Baking Soda
Dental care is easy with baking soda, whether you need to clean a mouth guard or dentures. The ingredient is a commonly found item in your pantry and great for denture cleaning. Baking soda is a mild alkali that dissolves dirt and bacteria easily when mixed with water.
Additionally, it absorbs all the odor molecules found on the surface. Learning how to clean stained dentures by replacing your regularly used toothpaste with baking soda toothpaste requires a few simple steps.
- A few drops of water
- Small dish
For a homemade denture cleanser, pour the baking soda into a small dish and add a couple of drops of water. Mix the solution, adding the necessary drops of water until it becomes a paste, and brush your dentures with the baking soda paste.
Move your toothbrush bristles in a gentle circular motion for the best denture care. Finish up the process by rinsing your dentures with hot water to successfully remove all remaining baking soda.
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The Dentist Will Polish/remove The Stain Before Whitening The Enamel
One of the reasons that patients do not achieve the desired results when investing in an at-home teeth whitening system to remove tea stains from the teeth is that the stain prevents the bleaching agent from reaching the enamel.
The dentist will use professional dental tools to remove the tea stain before applying the bleaching agent, resulting in improved overall whitening of the enamel.
Teeth Whitening From A Dentist Is Your Best Choice
Since its not always possible to take the necessary steps to prevent stains, there are thankfully many ways to remedy teeth that have already been stained by coffee or tea. You can always try home whitening remedies, but nothing will be as effective as having regular whitening treatments by your dentist. Professional treatments help your teeth stay whiter longer and prevent new stains.
Be sure to remember that undergoing too many teeth whitening treatments can be harmful to the natural protective layer of your teeth. If you have stains on your teeth that youd wish to have removed, consult with Dr. DAlfonso and schedule an appointment with Lakeway Cosmetic Dentistry today.
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What Are Coffee Stains
The stain does not seem to be anything special, but it’s actually an interesting physical phenomenon. US scientists have just made a new discovery, changing their perception of the formation of these stains. According to scientists, liquids, such as coffee, are mainly formed from spherical dried coffee beans. Each coffee bean is about one micrometer larger than about 10,000 times the coffee molecules. When a drop of coffee falls and begins to dry, the liquid flows from the middle out to form a certain shape, containing solid matter in it. After completely evaporating, this liquid forms a dark halo at the edge of the stain while its middle part is nothing .
The researchers assumed that elongated coffee beans would have similar activity. Thus, they were surprised to find that the elongated beans tended to clump more than the spherical beans. The lumps block the flow of liquid from the middle to the margins, thereby distributing the solids more evenly when the liquid evaporates, so it leaves a trace which does not have a circular shape with bold margins like stains of coffee.
What Are Common Causes Of Coffee Stains?
You may experience stains on your teeth, clothes or desk. For stains on your clothes or desk, they are usually formed by your inadvertence . Coffee stains are often difficult to remove, especially if they have been formed over a long period of time. Coffee stains usually develop on teeth due to:
How Can I Have My Tea And Drink It Too
If giving up tea or coffee altogether is simply out of the question, we do have a few suggestions which can help mitigate hard to remove stains.
- Swish a glass of water around your mouth after ingesting a cup of tea or coffee
- Brew light coffee and add a small amount of cream or milk
- Change out your black tea bags for green or white tea
- Floss daily to remove plaque stains along your tooths edge
- Use a bit of baking soda and salt to lift surface stains, then rinse with hydrogen peroxide twice a week
- Brush with whitening toothpaste immediately after you finish the cup to keep stains from setting
Ultimately, we want to stress that, despite the potential for pesky stains, drinking tea is good for you. For example, Green tea contains the chemical compound fluoride which has been show to substantially strengthen teeth. It has been shown to kill bad breath causing bacteria and viruses in the mouth.
However, if in the end, youre still uncomfortable with your smile after these preventive care measures, make an appointment to see if having your teeth bleached by a dentist is a good next step.
Our Jefferson Dental Content Committee supports our team by educational and informational articles related to what we do, oral care tips, and current events in our communities.
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