The reality:

Tooth staining is extremely common
It is usually very treatable
You rarely need to give up everything you enjoy

When we talk about “stained teeth”, we are really talking about a mix of:

Your natural tooth colour and enamel thickness
Diet (tea, coffee, wine, spices, sauces)
Habits such as smoking or vaping
Cleaning (how well plaque and tartar are controlled)
Internal changes in the tooth (white patches, mottling, trauma, ageing)

Understanding what actually stains teeth – and what does not – makes all the online advice about tea, coffee, turmeric and mouthwash much easier to make sense of.

Why Do Teeth Stain at All?

Teeth have two main layers:

Enamel – the outer, slightly translucent layer
Dentine – the inner, naturally more yellow layer

When we are young, enamel tends to be thicker and brighter. Over time:

Enamel can thin, letting more yellow dentine show through
Coloured pigments from food, drink and tobacco cling to enamel
Plaque and tartar build-up add a yellow or brown coating

Dentists often talk about two main types of staining:

Extrinsic stains – on the surface of the tooth
- Brown/yellow marks near the gums, between teeth or across the front surfaces
- Typically caused by tea, coffee, red wine, cola, smoking, mouthwashes, certain foods
Intrinsic stains – within the tooth
- White patches, mottling, grey or darkened teeth
- Can be due to trauma, childhood illness, excess fluoride, natural ageing or developmental changes

On top of this, plaque and tartar play a big role:

Plaque is the soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth
If not removed, it hardens into tartar (calculus), which appears yellow or brown
Once tartar forms, normal brushing will not remove it – it needs professional cleaning

That is why regular hygienist appointments are so important: they control the tartar that attracts and holds onto staining.

Tea and Teeth: The Big Question

Let’s address one of the most common worries first: does tea stain your teeth?

Short answer: yes, it can – and quite easily.

Traditional black tea contains tannins, which stick to enamel and create stains
Tea stains build up especially where plaque is present and where teeth meet the gums
Because many people drink tea all day, the effect can be stronger than coffee

So if you are a frequent tea drinker, you are more likely to see:

Brownish discolouration around the edges of teeth
Staining between teeth and in grooves

What About Green, Herbal and White Tea?

The picture is more mixed:

Green tea
- Still contains staining compounds
- Can cause grey or darker stains over time
Herbal teas (chamomile, peppermint, rooibos, etc.)
- Some are quite strongly coloured and can stain
- Many are less staining than black tea – but not completely “safe”
White tea
- Generally gentler, but still not completely free of staining risk
Matcha
- A concentrated form of green tea
- Pigments are strong, so daily matcha can contribute to staining

You do not have to give up tea, but you may need a smarter strategy (see prevention section below).

Coffee, Fizzy Drinks and Other Staining Drinks

Coffee is the other classic culprit.

Coffee is rich in colour pigments (chromogens) and is slightly acidic
Black coffee stains faster than milky versions
Multiple cups sipped slowly through the day mean teeth are constantly bathed in pigments

Typical coffee staining:

Yellow-brown patches in grooves and between teeth
General dulling of the smile over time

Other staining drinks include:

Cola and dark fizzy drinks
- Strongly coloured and acidic
- Can erode enamel and stain at the same time
- “Diet” versions are still acidic
Dark beers
- Less staining than red wine or cola, but can contribute, especially with plaque present
Hot chocolate and chocolate drinks
- Dark pigments and sugar mean they can also add to staining over time

If you are looking for gentler options, then:

Paler herbal teas,
Water, and
Simple milk-based drinks (without syrups/colourants)

tend to be kinder. But frequency and hygiene matter as much as the drink itself.

Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco Stains

Tea and coffee stains are one thing; tobacco stains are another level.

Cigarette and tobacco staining typically:

Appears as dark brown bands near the gums or at the back of teeth
Is thicker, darker and more stubborn than simple food or drink staining
Is driven by tar, nicotine and other chemicals

Vaping is not stain-free either:

E-liquids may contain colourants and nicotine
There is growing evidence that vaping can still stain teeth and affect gums
Staining patterns in regular vapers are increasingly common in practice

Removing long-standing tobacco or nicotine stains usually needs:

Professional cleaning (scaling, polishing, sometimes airflow)
Often whitening if the tooth itself has darkened
And importantly, support with cutting down or quitting

We often use the wish for a brighter smile as part of the motivation to stop smoking or vaping, alongside NHS stop smoking services.

Mouthwashes, Medicines and “Hidden” Stainers

Some patients are surprised to discover their mouthwash is part of the problem.

The most common example is mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine (e.g. some Corsodyl products):

Very useful for certain gum problems
But can cause brown surface staining, especially if plaque is present
Staining often appears around fillings and along the gum line

The good news:

These stains are mostly extrinsic and can usually be removed with professional cleaning
Chlorhexidine is generally recommended for short-term use only, not as a daily long-term rinse

Other coloured mouthwashes and some medicines can also stain, especially if:

They are used frequently, and
Brushing and interdental cleaning are not ideal

If you notice new staining after starting a mouthwash or medication, it is worth asking your dentist or hygienist to check.

Foods, Spices and “Healthy” Stainers

Many foods are colourful and nutritious – and still stain teeth.

Common offenders include:

Turmeric (in food and “golden” drinks)
Tomato-based sauces
Soy sauce
Dark berries (blueberries, blackberries)
Beetroot
Strongly coloured sweets and sauces

A useful rule of thumb:

If it would stain a white shirt, it can stain your enamel.

A note on turmeric

We are often asked about turmeric and teeth:

Turmeric is highly pigmented and does stain tooth surfaces
It sometimes appears online as a “natural whitener”
In practice, it more often leaves teeth looking yellower, not whiter

Enjoy turmeric as part of a normal diet, but be cautious about using it directly on teeth.

Day-to-Day Ways to Prevent (or Reduce) Staining

Whether your main concern is tea, coffee, cola, smoking or turmeric, the everyday habits make the biggest difference.

1. Avoid Constant Sipping

Have tea, coffee or fizzy drinks at set times, not all day
Each sip is another “bath” of pigments over your enamel
Reducing frequency is often more effective than cutting out one drink entirely

2. Drink Water Alongside

Sip water after tea, coffee, cola, red wine or strongly coloured foods
This helps wash away pigments before they settle
Simple, low-effort and surprisingly effective over time

3. Use a Straw for Cold Staining Drinks

For iced coffee, fizzy drinks and similar, a straw can reduce contact with front teeth
Not perfect, but better than letting the drink swirl over every surface

4. Brush Well – But Not Harshly

Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste
Clean between teeth every day (floss or interdental brushes)
Focus on thorough but gentle technique
Avoid very abrasive pastes and aggressive scrubbing, which can thin enamel and make staining worse

5. Consider a Splash of Milk in Hot Drinks

Adding milk to tea or coffee can slightly reduce staining potential
Not a cure, but a helpful tweak if you like hot drinks

6. Be Wary of DIY “Whitening” Hacks

Lemon, charcoal, bicarbonate of soda or turmeric scrubbed on teeth may be “natural”
But they can erode or scratch enamel, increasing sensitivity and staining in the long run
If you are tempted by a home remedy, ask your dentist first

In our experience, small realistic changes plus professional care beat any miracle toothpaste or home trick.

How We Remove Stains Professionally

Once staining has built up, especially over months or years, you will usually need professional help for the best result.

In our practice, we normally take the following steps.

1. Professional Cleaning (Scale and Polish)

First, we remove:

Plaque and tartar (which hold pigments)
Surface stains from tea, coffee, tobacco, mouthwash, foods

Techniques such as:

Scaling and polishing
Airflow polishing (where appropriate)

can make a dramatic difference to tea, coffee, smoking and chlorhexidine stains.

2. Professional Teeth Whitening

If, after a thorough clean, your teeth are still darker or more yellow than you would like, we may discuss whitening.

Our professional teeth whitening uses dentist-supervised gels
These brighten the underlying tooth colour, not just the surface
Ideal for general darkening with age, long-term diet staining and some intrinsic discolouration

Whitening is planned and monitored, which makes it safer and more predictable than shop-bought kits or DIY methods.

3. Icon Smile Treatment for White Patches

Not all “stains” are brown. Many patients are bothered by white patches or mottled areas that do not respond well to standard whitening.

For suitable cases, we offer Icon Smile treatment, which:

Uses a gentle resin infiltration technique
Blends white spots into the surrounding enamel
Often works well for certain types of fluorosis and post-brace white marks
Requires no drilling in many situations

Whitening and Icon can also be combined, depending on your case.

4. Tackling Smoking and Vaping Stains

For heavy smokers or vapers, our approach is:

Deep professional cleaning to remove existing staining as far as possible
A discussion of whitening if appropriate
Support and signposting to help you cut down or quit

This combination often delivers the best cosmetic and health benefits.

Worried About Stains on Your Teeth?

We can help if you are concerned about any of the following:

Tea- or coffee-stained teeth
Stains from smoking, vaping or mouthwash
White patches or mottling that do not shift
Or you simply feel your smile looks duller than it used to

At our Basingstoke practice, we can:

Examine your teeth and identify what type of staining you have
Recommend the right mix of hygienist cleaning, teeth whitening and, where suitable, Icon Smile treatment
Help you adjust day-to-day habits without asking you to give up everything you enjoy

Together, we can plan a sensible, long-term approach that fits your lifestyle, supports your oral health and helps you feel more confident every time you smile.

📞 Phone: +441256354227
🌐 Email: [email protected]
💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/+447514534410