Foods and Drinks That Stain Your Teeth
As we journey into 2025, you may have had grand dreams of improving yourself and your appearance. Many people consider changing eating habits for weight loss or other health benefits. But did you know that eating habits affect more than just your weight and energy level? What you eat and drink also affects your oral and dental health. Many foods – even “healthy” foods – as well as drinks are primary culprits for teeth stains and discoloration. Which foods and drinks stain your teeth? How can you avoid tooth staining while still enjoying your favorite treats and beverages?
Or perhaps you have recently undergone a smile makeover or cosmetic dentistry procedure? Teeth whitening, veneers or dental bonding are all popular choices and can give a great boost of confidence to how you feel about your appearance. If our dentist at Smiley Pearls has addressed cosmetic dental issues, ensuring your smile continues to sparkle and shine should be a priority.
But once your smile is attractive and stain-free, are you aware of several common culprits that can create havoc on your new sparkling smile? Knowing which foods and drinks stain your teeth can help patients make smart choices that prolong the results of cosmetic dentistry procedures.
To help protect and preserve your smile, below is a list of which foods and drinks are the worst culprits that can change the color of your smile PLUS what you can do to prevent further staining.
Top 5 Foods and Drinks That Stain Your Teeth
What is it about foods and drinks that cause stains and discoloration on your teeth? Believe it or not, the cause is not just related to pigment or dark colors. In fact, one of the biggest causes of tooth staining present in foods is a chemical compound called tannins. Tannins are found in many plant parts, including bark, leaves, fruits and seeds. Two other contributing factors to whether or not a food or drink may stain your teeth are chromogens and acids. Chromogens are compounds with strong pigments, and acids (as discussed below) erode tooth enamel, which allows for easy staining and also contributes to decay.
- Chocolate
Chocolate can stain teeth due to the tannins, which are natural pigments that cling to the surface of the teeth. The tannins in dark chocolate, responsible for its slightly bitter taste and dark color, can cause staining if you regularly indulge in large quantities.
The good news is that proper oral hygiene, like brushing your teeth about 30 minutes after enjoying some dark chocolate, can help prevent this issue.
- Coffee, Tea, and Wine
Coffee, tea, and red wine are among the most famous beverages for causing teeth staining. All three contain the same tannins found in chocolate, and the darker the drink, the more tannins it contains.
Red wines also contain many anthocyanins, the pigment that gives grapes their purplish hues. The acid in red wine can make the enamel more porous and make the teeth more vulnerable to staining.
- Balsamic Vinegar & Berries
Berries rich with dark pigments, such as blueberries, blackberries, and cherries, can easily cling to the enamel of your teeth and leave behind discoloration. Berries, like red wine, also contain high levels of acidity, which can weaken the enamel, causing more staining. However, it is not necessary to remove these antioxidant (and healthy) berries from your diet altogether. Instead, swish your mouth with water afterward or brush with an enamel repair toothpaste to keep your smile bright.
- Acidic Foods
Lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus-based foods may be loaded with nutrients, but they can wreak havoc on your teeth. Acids in citrus can erode enamel and leave the yellow-tinted layer underneath, known as dentin, exposed.
- Acidic Drinks
Sodas and citrus-flavored sparkling water can cause discoloration because they are also acidic. Like acid foods, sodas and sparkling water can dissolve and thin the mineral structure of your enamel. Erosion of your enamel causes cosmetic issues and makes your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and sugar.
Tip to Prevent Teeth Stains
To help keep your smile bright, here are some helpful tips to keep the stains away.
- Use a straw when drinking the beverages such as coffee and wine.
When sipping beverages that cause staining, choose to use a straw. A straw keeps the liquid away from the front surface of your teeth, reducing the direct contact between the staining agent in the drink and the tooth enamel.
- Choose lighter-colored fruits or vegetables, or mix them with dairy products
Dairy products contain the protein casein, which can help to cut down on the staining caused by berries. The casein attaches to tannins in the berries and helps prevent them from attaching to your enamel.
- Avoid adding extra sugar to coffee or tea.
Adding sugar to your drinks can feed the bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria is the culprit behind cavities and gum disease. Avoiding sugar can help to maintain a healthy pH balance and promote oral health.
- Wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth
Brushing your teeth after enjoying a tooth-staining treat is important, but wait about 30 minutes after eating. This will allow time for your saliva to wash away some of the acids. Brushing too quickly can cause enamel erosion.
- Drink Water
Drinking water between foods that stain and drinks like coffee and wine will help cleanse your mouth. This is another great way to remove the tannins before the bond to your teeth. Swish the water around in your mouth before swallowing. Sparkling water, in particular, has the benefit of bubbles, which can loosen up or prevent stains.
The tips above can help prevent tooth stains, but they’re also great ways to keep your teeth healthy. The nutrients in healthy foods can help strengthen your teeth and gums, fight against bacteria, and prevent cavities and tooth decay.
If you are looking for a dentist in Sachse, TX who can help protect the health and beauty of your smile, contact Smiley Pearls today. Our dental professionals are committed to modern, compassionate dentistry to keep your smile sparkling and pearly white.