Tea and Coffee Stains on Your Teeth? Here’s How You Can Remove Them

While a cup of coffee or tea can help you kick start your day, it can also stain your teeth. Tannin, a polyphenol compound found in coffee and tea that breaks down in water, is responsible for the color and flavor. It enables color compounds to stick to your teeth, leaving behind a yellow hue. Small amounts of tea and coffee are enough to stain your teeth, and regular consumption can cause more long-term stains.

How to Get Rid of Yellow Stains on Your Teeth

You do not have to stop drinking coffee or tea just because it stains your teeth. Instead, there are several ways to remove tea and coffee teeth stain and improve the appearance of your teeth, including:

1. See Your Dental Hygienist!

Make sure you are current with your professional hygiene schedule. Two dental exams a year is acceptable; however, you may need anywhere from 2-4 cleaning visits per year based on your probe scores. The general recommendation of 2 “cleanings” per year does not apply to everyone! We remove stains by several methods; the two most common are by using our professional scalers and our prophy dental paste.

2. Teeth-whitening Products

Hydrogen peroxide is the most commonly used teeth-whitening product. Our favorite less expensive whitening products are Opalescence GO, Crest Emulsions, and Glo Science Whitening. Crest White Strips are very popular, but we reserve recommending these to people that only need to brighten their shade one to two shades (it will take too long to use Crest Whitestrips if you have a darker shade of teeth.) Whitening toothpaste can be a great option, but it will only remove surface stains.

3. Professional Teeth Whitening

It can help remove stains that are resistant to over-the-counter and at-home treatments. However, if you genetically have yellow teeth, you will also need professional whitening. For the most resistant or darker shades, you will have to continue whitening at home until the desired shade is reached.

4. Electric Toothbrush

Using an electric toothbrush (instead of a manual one) provides more cleaning power, helping to keep your teeth whiter. Every person with natural teeth (adults, children, seniors) should use an electric toothbrush. Our best recommendation for an electric toothbrush is the ORAL B GENIUS MODEL or ORAL B IO MODEL.

5. Coconut Oil Pulling

Coconut is an antibacterial agent that helps whiten your teeth by destroying bacteria buildup on teeth. Swish coconut oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes, and then spit it out. Repeat this a few times every week.

6. Avoid Sugar and Creamer

Creamer and sugar can accelerate the growth of discoloring bacteria, so try not to use a lot of it.

7. Drink Less

Cut down on your coffee and tea intake if possible. Also, drink a glass of water after having coffee or tea to prevent bacteria buildup.

8. Use a Straw

If you like iced coffee, drink it through a straw to minimize the risk of stains.

9. Brush Your Teeth

Brush your teeth 30 minutes after drinking coffee, but make sure to rinse your mouth with water before brushing. Avoid brushing immediately as it can weaken your tooth enamel because coffee pH is acidic.

10. Eat Vegetables and Fruits

Some fruits and vegetables like strawberries have natural fibers that break down bacteria and clean teeth. Therefore, eating them will help remove stains on your teeth.

Other Pitfalls of Drinking Too Much Coffee

Besides stains, coffee can also cause:

• Tooth and enamel erosion by encouraging bacteria to grow in your mouth, thus making your teeth brittle and thin
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Dry mouth by hindering saliva production, leading to cavities and decay

If you are looking for professional teeth whitening in Scottsdale, schedule an appointment with Smile Arizona Dentistry today. Our lead dentist, Dr. Beth Vander Schaaf, is highly experienced in performing whitening procedures with great results. She offers a variety of treatment options, so schedule a consultation to see what whitening options are best for you.