Understanding how stains develop can help you protect your smile and know if you need to seek professional treatment

Dr. Ronald Hsu
Delta Dental

Concerns about tooth stains shouldn’t keep you from enjoying that daily cup of coffee, tea, or the occasional glass of red wine. While tooth stains are one of the most common cosmetic complaints that dental patients have, there are ways to keep your smile bright.

Stained teeth are part of getting older, but that’s not the only reason. Lifestyle and drinking habits can also contribute – but they can also be prevented and treated.

Understanding how stains develop can help you protect your smile and know if you need to seek professional treatment.

Why do teeth stain?

Tooth discoloration occurs when pigments from foods and beverages attach to enamel, the hard outer surface of the tooth.

Many staining foods and drinks are also acidic, which can temporarily soften enamel and make it easier for pigments to stick to the tooth surface and when that happens repeatedly over months or years, stains become more noticeable.

Age also contributes. When you age, enamel becomes thinner, revealing more of the yellow-colored dentin beneath the surface.

Coffee

Coffee contains tannins and dark pigments which attach to tooth enamel. Because many coffee drinkers sip throughout the day, teeth may be exposed to staining compounds for extended periods.

Turns out that one large cup of coffee in the morning is less problematic than sipping coffee over several hours.

Red wine

Red wine is often considered one of the most staining beverages because it combines dark pigments, tannins and acids.

Tea

Surprisingly there are some black teas which can stain teeth as much as or even more than coffee because of their high tannin content.

How to prevent stains

The good news is that you don’t have to give up your favorite beverage to avoid tooth stains. Here are some ways you can prevent your teeth from turning shades you don’t want:

• Drink Water After Coffee, Tea or Red Wine
• Use a Straw
• Avoid All-Day Sipping
• Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
• Wait 30 Minutes Before Brushing
• Schedule Professional Cleanings

You don’t have to choose between enjoying coffee or wine and keeping a happy and healthy smile. Good oral hygiene, routine dental visits and a few preventive habits can significantly reduce staining while protecting overall oral health.

Dr. Ronald Hsu is a Delta Dental of Washington member dentist and a pediatric dental provider at Storybook Dental in Camas, Washington.