5 common drinks that affect tooth colour

Morning tea or an evening glass of red wine often do more than offer comfort or relaxation – these drinks can stain teeth.

Many favourites leave their mark on tooth enamel over time, with some producing more noticeable discolouration than others.

Tea, coffee, red wine, and cola feature among the biggest sources of tooth-staining foods.

The impact these drinks have on tooth colour varies from person to person. Some people notice yellow or brown stains developing quite quickly, while others may see changes more gradually.

The staining happens because these beverages contain strong colour compounds that stick to the outer layer of our teeth. Drinks that are dark, acidic, or both tend to cause the most noticeable staining.

Knowing which drinks affect tooth colour doesn’t mean you need to give up your favourites completely.

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Making small changes to how you enjoy these beverages can help protect your smile. Simple habits like drinking water afterwards, using a straw, or paying attention to how often you enjoy them can help you keep your teeth brighter for longer.

Why some daily drinks leave their mark on teeth

Tooth enamel contains countless microscopic pits and grooves. Pigments from drinks like tea, coffee, red wine, and cola settle easily in these surface irregularities, leading to visible stains over time. Chromogens – naturally occurring colour molecules – adhere tightly to the porous enamel and are responsible for much of the staining seen after regular or frequent consumption of these drinks.

Staining can happen quickly with beverages that are high in both chromogens and tannins, such as tea and red wine, or develop more gradually if you sip on these drinks repeatedly throughout the day. The effect is magnified if you hold drinks in your mouth, as this increases contact time and pigment absorption. Professionals like a dentist in Didcot can assess individual staining patterns and recommend appropriate treatment options based on specific dietary habits and oral health conditions.

Drinking habits add up, too. Someone sipping coffee or cola all morning is more likely to notice yellow or brown streaks than someone enjoying just a single cup. For fewer stains, try to reduce the frequency of sipping, rinse your mouth with water after drinking, and avoid swishing these beverages for prolonged periods.

1. The morning cuppa that dims your smile

Tea stands as the UK’s favourite drink, with data from the UK Tea & Infusions Association reporting that 84% of adults enjoy the beverage daily. Yet those cups can gradually stain tooth enamel. The cause lies in tea’s tannins—plant compounds responsible for both its flavour and its stubborn yellow-brown marks. These tannins bind to enamel, making stains difficult to remove, especially with frequent or prolonged sipping (high concentration of tannins).

Black tea contains the most tannins and causes deeper staining compared to green tea, which has fewer but still noticeable effects. Herbal teas can stain as well, especially those with berries or spices. Letting tea brew longer or drinking it strong increases tannin content, raising stain risk.

Milk offers a small benefit: casein proteins in milk bind some tannins, which may slightly limit their pigment’s ability to settle on teeth. That means milky tea could be less aggressive on enamel than strong black tea.

The widespread British habit of frequent, strong tea increases overall exposure. If you’re worried about tooth colour, consider moderating brew time, rinsing with water afterwards, or alternating with less pigmented drinks.

2. Coffee & its complex relationship with teeth

Coffee stains teeth in two main ways. Dark pigments settle into tiny cracks in tooth enamel, while coffee’s acidity temporarily softens enamel, giving pigments a better chance to stick. Over time, this combination often leads coffee drinkers to notice yellow or brown stains developing, as confirmed by dental sources that highlight strong staining potential.

The roast you choose can affect the results. Dark roasts carry more pigments for fast stains, but lighter roasts tend to be more acidic, increasing enamel damage and future stain risk. Consistently drinking any roast impacts tooth colour, not always immediately, but with clear effects over months or years.

Preparation matters, too. Espresso’s short contact time may mean less staining compared to slowly sipped filter coffee. Instant coffee is less oily but remains very likely to stain due to its concentrated colour compounds and acidity.

Recent British Coffee Association data shows coffee consumption keeps rising, with UK drinkers enjoying more than 98 million cups every day. With so many people reaching for an extra cup at work or while studying, dental teams see coffee stains in every age group, especially younger adults striving for a bright smile.

3. Red wine & other alcohol effects

Red wine affects tooth colour through both strong pigments and acid. Chromogens give wine its deep shades, and tannins help those pigments stick to enamel. The high acidity softens enamel, increasing stain absorption after only a few drinks. Repeated exposure makes stains tougher to remove.

White wine lacks direct pigments but remains highly acidic. This acid roughens enamel, making teeth more likely to stain from dark foods or drinks consumed afterwards. Drinking white wine before red can intensify staining because softened enamel absorbs red pigments more readily.

Mixed alcoholic drinks with dark mixers add to the risk. Ingredients like cola and fruit juices introduce extra staining compounds and sugar, which feeds bacteria and acid production. Drinks such as rum and cola or red wine spritzer can cause persistent mark buildup versus clear spirits and mixers.

Alcohol generally causes dry mouth, reducing saliva’s natural protective action. With less saliva, stains remain on the tooth surface longer and acids aren’t neutralised quickly, so dull or yellow tones become more noticeable by the next day. To help limit these effects, drink water alongside alcohol and brush carefully.

4. Sports & energy drinks that damage enamel

Based on a 2024 study, sports and energy drinks deliver a combination of high acidity, often reaching pH levels as low as 3.3, and intense artificial colours. This acid wears away enamel, forming rough patches where stains grab hold and deepen. With many brands containing synthetic dyes, teeth become even more vulnerable to visible discolouration, especially along the gumline or in enamel grooves.

Those who regularly exercise often sip these beverages over long sessions, unintentionally extending acid exposure. This habit increases the risk of enamel erosion and stain accumulation.

Sugar-free options, while marketed as healthier, remain acidic and cause comparable enamel loss. Dental professionals stress that reduced sugar means a lower cavity risk, but enamel can still erode significantly, letting colours and stains set faster. Opt for plain water during workouts and, where possible, rinse your mouth to limit acids and dyes from lingering on teeth.

5. Fruit juices & smoothies: Hidden culprits for UK smiles

Fruit juices such as blackcurrant, orange, pomegranate, or grape are available everywhere across the UK and deliver high levels of natural pigments – mainly anthocyanins – that cling to tiny pits in the enamel. These pigments aren’t only vivid in colour; they seep into enamel if drinks linger in the mouth, especially during slow sipping, which steadily builds up stains. Frequent juice drinkers often see a gradual shift to a duller or patchier tooth surface compared to those who enjoy juice only with meals. Rinsing with water right after drinking and sipping juices through a straw helps protect these visible front surfaces, as both steps reduce direct pigment contact and make stains less likely to accumulate.

Choosing juice or smoothies for perceived wellness can backfire on tooth colour. These drinks combine pigments with acids, which weaken enamel and set up easier pathways for stains. Having juices with food, not between meals, prompts more saliva, which helps clear acid and colour compounds away. Taking a moment to swish with water afterwards, and making a habit of using a straw, supports brighter and cleaner teeth day to day.

Thick smoothies, popular from high street shops, stick around longer on teeth, as their fibrous bits cling close to the enamel and gumline. This lingering contact is why dentists often see more staining and residue in patients who enjoy store-bought smoothies daily.

Simple tweaks – straws, water rinsing, and sticking to mealtime juice – reduce risk, limit discolouration, and support ongoing oral health between dental check-ups.

This is a collaborative post.