Does Tea Stain Teeth? | Colgate® SG

Does Tea Stain Teeth?

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Medically Reviewed By Colgate Global Scientific Communications

We know that coffee can stain those pearly whites, but does tea stain teeth too? The answer is yes. In fact, tea might be even more likely to stain your teeth than coffee due to its higher tannin content.

If you don't want to give up drinking tea, it is important to look after your teeth in order to keep staining to a minimum.

Reduce Stains Caused by Tea

Drinking tea can cause lasting discolouration, but it is possible to reduce staining by developing healthy oral care habits.

At home, simple things such as brushing your teeth regularly can help. Brushing twice a day is good, but brushing immediately after you drink a cup of tea is even better.

Drinking water after a cup of tea can help reduce the amount of tannin left in your mouth too.

Switching from black tea to herbal or green teas can also reduce staining, although it will not eliminate the problem altogether.

For added stain fighting, try brushing with a toothbrush that exfoliates stains and helps polish teeth surfaces. This can whiten teeth by up to three shades and show results within one week.

Get Rid of Existing Stains

Now that you know that tea can stain your teeth, you might like to think about teeth whitening to combat the discolouration. You can do this at home using teeth whitening kits or products that work alongside your usual brushing routine, such as an effective toothbrush and mouthwash to help further reduce stains and brighten teeth.