If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, you may have wondered what effect it has on your oral health. And does green tea stain your teeth more or less?
While your tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, it is not flat and smooth like it looks. Instead, it contains tiny ridges and pits that hold particles of both your food and drink. Coffee and teas are darker beverages, and their pigments can easily become embedded in those pits and ridges. This causes yellow stains that can be permanent.
What Stains More?
Despite most coffees being considerably darker in color than teas, tea contains a substance called tannin. You can find tannin in all sorts of food and drink, including wine. Tannin is actually a vegetable dye that occurs naturally in the body, and it is an antioxidant called tannic acid. So in addition to the darker pigments found in these beverages, tea has the additional tannic acid. Tannic acid adheres to plaque on your teeth, and it causes yellowing right along with the pigment of the tea itself.
But does green tea stain your teeth more than coffee? No! In fact, to decrease possible staining, you can try substituting green tea for black. Green tea contains fewer color pigments that can cause staining, and it also contains fluoride, which naturally strengthens your teeth. It also gets rid of bad breath caused by bacteria or viruses in your mouth.
Do I Have to Give Up Caffeine to Ensure a Whiter Smile?
There are steps you can take to prevent further yellowing of your teeth while still enjoying your favorite beverage.
Brew your coffee lighter in color and use some milk or cream in it.
Enjoy green or white teas instead of black.
Rinse your mouth with water after drinking a cup of coffee or tea.
Brush your teeth with a whitening toothpaste immediately afterward.
Twice a week, brush with baking soda and salt and rinse with hydrogen peroxide to remove surface stains.
Daily flossing is required to remove more plaque from the edge of your teeth.
If, after following these directives, you still have stains that have been set in over time, see your dentist for a professional whitening treatment. And, of course, be careful about drinking too much coffee or green tea after teeth whitening or any cosmetic dentistry.
Also, make sure you schedule regular cleanings at your dental clinic, which will help reduce the buildup and improve your tooth color over time.
The Last Word
So, in the end, green tea does stain your teeth – but not as much as coffee. And with the right care, you can keep drinking your favorite pick-me-up. Follow the directives above and enjoy your favorite beverages with a dazzling, white smile.
