In most cases, teeth stains are not caused by an insufficient brushing technique or forgetting to brush twice a day. The real culprit is in your kitchen. This can cause unsightly stains to plague your once brilliant white teeth.
We start our days with a cup of coffee and end it with a glass of red wine in the evening. So you wouldn’t be wrong if you thought these were some of the biggest culprits behind your stubborn teeth stains. But there’s a worse offender. Tea is the worst drink for your bright smile when it comes to staining teeth.
With 3.5 cups of coffee consumed daily on average, tea is also popular with Americans, accounting for 300 servings per year. Although neither one of these beverages will make your teeth whiter, tea is “guilt-tea” for having more tannins.
Tannins are chemical compounds called polyphenols that contribute to tea’s unique taste and astringency. Black teas and Oolongs have much higher levels than other teas. However, green and white teas contain very little to no tannin.
Teas with high levels of tannin can stain teeth. This is because the tannins buildup overtime on tooth enamel. But, tea drinkers are not out of luck. Tea is good for your teeth, even though it can cause more coloration than wine or coffee. However, you shouldn’t stop drinking tea.
Tea has many health benefits. According to studies, it may help you reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and metabolic disease. Additionally, tea is likely to prevent cavities and gum inflammation.
While the tannins in tea are the culprit to staining teeth, the tea itself isn’t necessarily harmful. How can you minimize the stains in tea while still enjoying its health benefits?
In general, darker teas tend to have more tannins. Add milk or another creamer to black teas to lighten them up so they’re easier on the teeth. Straining your tea with a straw can help reduce contact between the tannins in the tea and your teeth.
After drinking a cup high in tannins, brush your teeth as soon and as often as you can. If you don’t have a toothbrush or are unable to brush your teeth, water is a good alternative. Using whitening strips or toothpaste can help you restore the luster to your pearly whites if you drink tea regularly as well.