If a typical morning for you starts with a coffee, continues with an afternoon cup of tea, and ends with a glass (or two) of red wine, it’s safe to assume that you’ve had a pretty good day. Unless, of course, you’re speaking to a dentist (which is exactly what we did).
Consequently, you might be disappointed to learn that your typical day involves three of the most common culprits of teeth staining.
And just as we thought the teeth-destructive drink list ended there, dentist Dr Fadi Yassmin from FY Smile warned us about one more popular drink we hadn’t considered.
“One [beverage] that is often missed is mixed drinks,” he tells beautyheaven, specifically referring to a popular ingredient in many spirit-based drinks: citrus.
Although refreshing and (unlike red wine) not going to leave a stain, these drinks are often abundant in acidic fruits like lemons or limes that can “cause erosion and wear of the enamel, [resulting in] sensitivity,” warned Dr Yassmin.
How do we avoid damaging our teeth?
Without letting this information entirely derail your holiday fun, Dr Yassmin has shared his top tips for not only preventing but also reversing damage caused to our teeth.
- Regular cleans and polishes with your dentist. Dr Yassmin recommends ensuring your treatment incorporates the “use of airflow”
- Drinking through a straw. Despite being a bit more obscure for tea, coffee and red wine, this tip really does work, as it minimises the amount of liquid coming into contact with your teeth. We suggest a reusable metal straw for the environmentally conscious.
- Incorporating whitening products into your at-home brushing routine. We recommend: alfree PLAIN WHITENING toothpaste ($6.49, Chemist Warehouse)
- Professional whitening treatments. Either in-clinic or using a take home kit such as the Hismile PAP+ Teeth Whitening Kit ($149, Adore Beauty).
Do you notice your teeth become discoloured after drinking red wine, tea or coffee?
I love orange and grapefruit juice but I’ll drink it with a straw next time
Me too and oh my I need a straw now?
I only drink iced coffee, I don’t know if that counts?, but no – I have’nt noticed any difference.
Good topic and article. I will definitely be using a straw when drinking my lemon lime and bitters next!
Yes pretty good article with some good tips.
There are fold up reusable straws that work pretty well if people are trying to be environmentally friendly but have lots of pub xmas events to attend.
I don’t drink red wine but coffee does unfortunately stain my teeth. Would never give up drinking it though.
straws not so easily obtained unless made of paper or other recyclable materials. Good idea though.
Coffee definitely stains mine, but not complaining I just just go for more frequent cleans with my dental hygienist. (Ps I still cannot comment on forum if any of the lovely bh gods are reading)
I’ve always been a coffeeholic so can’t say if it stains my teeth or not. I’m sure it does.
I try to only have one coffee a day, sometimes two, but I dont think it stains my teeth.
I have quite a bit of tooth enamel erosion. My dentist said it was because I drank soft drinks as a kid.
Argh,I love soft drinks!
Ahhh so its citric acid which can do bad things to enamel. I also heard from a dentist that even some peppermints can help strip the teeth of enamel!
Peppermints? As in the lollies?
What is airflow in a dental clean up?
Air-polishing is a method of removing biofilm and stains with the help of kinetic energy. Using a mixture of air, the corresponding powders and water, teeth, implants and soft tissue are effectively yet gently cleaned. The biofilm, which consists of bacteria and other microorganisms, is thus removed without the use of chemical products.
It could been explained a bit better
Very interesting!
I never use a straw, I doubt I would ever carry and wash a reusable straw with me for everyday use so I guess I’m stuck with yellowing teeth then
Had no issues. Do not drink wine ever, tea rarely and coffee with plant mylk once daily so all good.
I don’t do any of those things to weaken my tooth enamel but I have issues anyway. It’s not just about what we do it’s also about susceptibility and unfortunately my enamel is not great. I’m using tooth mousse to help strengthen my enamel.
What’s tooth mousse?
Tooth mousse is fantastic: it can restore enamel & remineralise teeth. You just rub it onto your teeth & leave it.
You get it from the fang doctor
I am all about the dental care!
Oh yes, I’ m aware of these. When I’m out, I prefer a straw but when I’m home, I prefer drinking from the glass. I do generally, however, always give my teeth a quick rinse with water afterwards, or I sometimes even give the teeth a quick, gentle, extra brush during the day.
Did my comment just disappear?
Good to be aware.
So many rules for teeth! I have ordered pink glass straws for Christmas so hopefully this helps.
Where did you get them from?
Lots of places sell reusable glass or stainless steel straws. Look around online or in-store. Even Kmart & Target sell stainless steel ones. Many kitchenware & health food shops also sell them.
Definitely coffee doesn’t help my teeth! I try not to have too much.
I agree! I should cut it out.
I always use a straw when having an acidic drink or soft drinks.
I go to the dentist regularly.
I haven’t because of covid.
Ooh, tea is the weakness for me. I don’t drink any of the others too often.
I have found that coffee & strong tea stain my teeth. I am now eating an apple a day. It really does whiten my teeth.
I like coffee but don’t drink it much.
I have a great dentist and he has always said to use a straw, I have metal straws at home and a couple in a plastic container in my handbag
I should try that!
Yep – I’ve noticed a big trend in ‘daily lemon water’ and have always wondered what that might be doing to your teeth! That said, though, it’s better for you all round than wine.
Good things for me to incorporate!
Drink through a paper straw
Drink through a paper straw – better for the environment
I get tartar build up even without these drinks; regular dental clean-ups are the answer
I thought soft drinks would be worse. I drink buckets of black tea every day, but so far, no staining. I regularly use whitening toothpaste & an electric toothbrush.
I drink acidic drinks through a straw!
yes a bamboo rewashable straw
I haven’t noticed any difference but it’s something I’ll keep in mind for future reference though.
SIGH… Just drink what you like and be happy doing it!!!
I think I am beginning to agree with you. Eating what you like too?
I always buy whitening toothpaste.
Celery juice helps to heal cavities, I will stick to that, can’t stand using straws, will cause more wrinkles in the long run.
I don’t usually experience any issues probably because I always drink a glass of water after I have had coffee or red wine. There is a dentist in the UK who refers to the “Prosecco Smile” and the name comes from the popular cocktail’s effect on the health and appearance of the teeth when consumed on the regular, which is largely due to two factors: its acidic nature and its sugar content.
I sometimes see my teeth looking a bit yellow after coffee, but i always brush my teeth after having my coffee in the morning
I normally have 2 coffees a day. I’m guessing that it does stain my teeth.
I don’t drink red wine or coffee but I do love orange juice! I’ll have to use a straw from now on.
I’ll have to cut back on fruit juice and drink more water.