Tea is one of the most loved beverages in India making it the most consumed drink in any Indian household. For an average Indian, their day gets started with tea. But can drinking tea too much stain your teeth? Yes, it can. Tea has a high amount of tannins which, not only, dry out your mouth but also stain your teeth. Tea can make your teeth yellow more than coffee because of higher tannin content.
How Does Tea Stain Teeth?
Tea, as compared to coffee, has higher amounts of tannin in it which leaves a stain on your teeth. Tannins are a form of polyphenol that breaks down in water and enables colour components. These colour components come in contact with the surface of your teeth which is the enamel and disbalance the colour of your teeth. The acidic substances in tea also contribute to the wearing down of your tooth’s enamel leaving an unwanted yellowish colour.
Factors That Influence Tea Staining
Tea is usually consumed two to three times daily by many because of its refreshing flavour without understanding its causes on your health. But does tea stain your teeth? Yes, it does and the factors included are-
Tea Types- Tea has many varieties such as black tea, white tea, green tea, milk tea and herbal tea. Black tea stains your teeth more than any other tea because tannins are higher in comparison.
Frequency- The number of times you are drinking tea does have an impact on your tooth’s discolouration.
Tannins- Tannins in tea cause dry mouth and also stain in the teeth.
Acid- Tea also has acidic substances which affect the enamel which is the protective layer of your teeth.
Preventing Tea Stains
Here are some ways how you can prevent teeth staining from tea.
Brushing your teeth- Brush your teeth regularly with a whitening toothpaste. Brushing regularly can remove the germs and also the stains.
Rinse with water- Always rinse your mouth with water after drinking tea. Tea leaves an unwanted yellowish layer so wash your mouth with water after drinking.
Mix with milk- Drinking black tea can leave more stains than milk tea or herbal tea. You can also drink green tea.
Limit Consumption- Limit your frequency of drinking tea. You can cut down the number of cups of tea and you will notice changes in your teeth.
Home Remedies to Combat Tea Stains
Drinking tea does make your teeth yellow but how can you combat the stains?
Regular brushing- Tea stains are preventable and treatable easily at your home. The most important thing to combat tea stains is to brush your teeth regularly. Brush your teeth two times a day and check out our range of electric toothbrushes for an efficient brushing experience.
Baking Soda- Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, and mix it well to make a paste. Make sure to rinse your mouth with water after brushing your teeth with the paste.
Oil Pulling- Oil pulling is considered to be an ancient remedy to get your mouth clean and free from germs. This method is also used to remove stains from your teeth.
Apple Cider Vinegar- Take two spoons of apple cider vinegar and mix it well with enough water. Use this liquid to squish your mouth. Do not forget to rinse with normal water.
Lemon or Orange peels- You can use orange or lemon peels to rub your teeth. It contains citric acid which helps in the whitening of teeth.
Charcoal- Get yourself a charcoal-based toothpaste to remove the stains.
Professional Treatments for Tea Stains
Regular drinking of tea can stain your teeth, but you can avoid or remove the tea stains on your teeth medically.
Whitening Strips- Whitening strips come in handy when it becomes hard to remove stains from your teeth. It makes the whitening process easy and quicker.
Dental Bonding- Dental bonding is another medical treatment for whitening your teeth.
Porcelain Veneers- If the stains on your teeth don’t come off easily then your doctor might opt for porcelain veneers.
Takeaway Tips
Drinking tea is fine, but regular consumption of tea can stain your teeth. You might notice an imbalance in your teeth’s colour. Tea is high in tannins which stains your teeth and also causes a dry mouth. Be mindful of the number of cups you are drinking as it not only leaves an effect on your teeth but also your overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I stop tea from staining my teeth?
Answer- By following simple methods such as rinsing your mouth after drinking tea, mixing the tea with milk or substituting it with herbal tea to lessen the effect. You can also use a straw for drinking.
- Do you get yellow teeth from tea?
Answer- Yes, tea stains your teeth more than coffee because of its high tannin substances.
- What teas don't stain teeth?
Answer- Green tea, herbal tea, and milk tea have a lesser effect on your teeth and don’t stain your teeth as much as black tea does.
- Does green tea discolour teeth?
Answer- Green tea does not leave an unwanted stain on your teeth as compared to other tea. Green tea has fewer tannins because it does not cause stains.