Could tea be more damaging to your bright white smile than coffee?

Sample News Big

Many of us are aware that drinking coffee can stain the teeth, but did you know that the nation’s favourite nectar, tea, could be even more damaging to a bright, white smile?

In Britain, approximately 165 million cups of tea are consumed on a daily basis and there’s been an increase in popularity of different types of tea, including green tea and fruit teas, in recent years. Coffee is known to stain the teeth due to the presence of tannin, but many tea drinkers may be unaware that their favourite brew is also likely to contain agents that discolour the teeth.

Dental expert for White Glo, Jordan Kirk, explained that the enamel is porous and the staining agents present in different types of tea, including tannins, can penetrate the surface, causing the teeth to become discoloured. In addition to tannins, tea may also contain theaflavins, thearubigins and theabrownins, which are chemicals proven to stain enamel. The darker your tea, the more significant the discolouration.

Although tannin can accelerate tooth discolouration, it does boast antioxidant properties, which can help to lower the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer. Green tea is believed to have the highest concentration of tannins.

To prevent staining, dentists recommend brushing the teeth for at least 2 minutes every morning and evening, seeing a dentist on a regular basis and using a paper straw when you drink. This prevents direct contact between the liquid and the tooth enamel.

Join this Discussion

Comments are closed.