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If you love drinking tea every day, but hate the surface stains on your teeth, there’s still hope. You won’t have to quit drinking your afternoon tea. In fact, there are various methods to whiten your teeth at home, such as using charcoal or fruits. If that’s not up your alley, you can always use whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, or change your diet with stain-removing foods. Take precautions with more abrasive whitening methods so your teeth remain stain free and healthy. In this article, we interviewed board certified dentist, Tu Anh Vu, DMD, on the safest ways to prevent stains and whiten your teeth.
Steps
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Rinse with 3% hydrogen peroxide to remove stains. Peroxide is an antibacterial agent that can clean the entire mouth and gums. [1] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source To make an oral mouth rinse with it, combine 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water, then swish for 2-3 minutes and rinse. [2] X Research source
- Baking soda may also be used to remove stains and whiten your teeth. In a small cup, mix ¼ to ½ teaspoon (1½ to 3g) of baking soda with enough water to form a paste. Dip your toothbrush into the paste and brush your teeth for 1-2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. [3] X Research source
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Make a paste from strawberries to whiten your teeth. Mash up strawberries for teeth strengthening and whitening if you drink a lot of tea. When mashing, crush 4 or 5 strawberries, rub the mixture on your teeth, leave for 5 minutes, then rinse with water. [4] X Research source
- Another method is to mix mashed strawberries with baking soda, spread the mixture over your teeth, leave it on for 5 minutes, and then rinse it off. Brush your teeth and floss right after this routine. [5] X Research source
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Brush your teeth with activated charcoal to remove stains. How does something as messy as charcoal whiten your teeth? Activated charcoal is abrasive, so research shows that it may have the potential to remove surface stains on your teeth. [6] X Research source Too much abrasiveness can damage your teeth’s enamel and increase sensitivity over time, so talk to your dentist before adding it to your routine. [7] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
- Use an old toothbrush so you don’t stain your normal toothbrush. Mix activated charcoal powder with water until it forms a paste-like consistency. Dab the mixture on your toothbrush, brush your teeth gently, and wait at least 3 minutes before rinsing. [8] X Research source Spit into a cup, instead of the sink, then dump the cup into the toilet to avoid a mess in the sink.
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Brush your teeth with whitening toothpastes. These are one of the most widely used and effective forms of teeth whitening with their active ingredients being mild abrasives and bleaching agents. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Whitening toothpastes aren’t instant, and it takes time and patience when brushing with them. Be consistent by brushing twice a day, and you may see the benefits within 2-6 weeks. [10] X Research source
- Conventional whitening toothpaste contains ingredients like silica, pyrophosphates, hydrogen peroxide, or carbamide peroxide to remove stains and discolorations. [11] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Use teeth whitening strips to remove tea stains. These flexible little strips are made out of polyethylene, which is an elastic type of plastic. They usually contain peroxide to bleach your teeth. [12] X Trustworthy Source American Dental Association World's largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health Go to source Think about when you wash your white shirts in the laundry, and you use bleach to get all the stains out. Whitening strips work on your teeth in the same way to remove tea stains from your pearly whites. [13] X Research source
- Whitening strips are a more affordable option than getting your teeth whitened at the dentist, because insurance usually doesn’t cover whitening. [14] X Research source
- Follow the instructions that come with whitening strips. Misuse can have adverse effects like teeth sensitivity and gingival irritation. [15] X Trustworthy Source American Dental Association World's largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health Go to source
- According to Vu, “make sure to brush your teeth before using whitening strips so that the hydrogen peroxide can penetrate your enamel better.” [16]
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Expert Source
Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
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Brush with an electric toothbrush to whiten your teeth. According to Vu, electric toothbrushes “pulsate at a higher rate than what we can move our hands to,” helping us “get a better clean.” [17] X Expert Source Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020. They effectively remove plaque and debris from your teeth and gums, with less effort than using a manual toothbrush. [18] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source- Sonic toothbrushes usually vibrate at 24,000-40,000 strokes per minute, while oscillating electric toothbrushes rotate at around 1,300-8,800 strokes per minute. [19] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Go to a dentist for professional whitening. Dentists perform professional whitening, but since it’s considered a cosmetic procedure and not medically necessary, it is usually not covered by dental insurance. [20] X Research source If you choose this route for stain removal, your dentist may schedule for you to have your teeth bleached. [21] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Drink tea through a straw to prevent staining. Anytime you drink anything dark, like red wine, coffee, or tea, it can stain your teeth. To prevent that, Vu advises to drink cold or hot beverages through a straw, and “swish with water right after so the stains don’t stick to your teeth.” [24] X Expert Source Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.- If possible, Vu says to “brush your teeth quickly” after drinking something dark, even if you don’t have toothpaste. [25]
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Expert Source
Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- If possible, Vu says to “brush your teeth quickly” after drinking something dark, even if you don’t have toothpaste. [25]
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Expert Source
Tu Anh Vu, DMD
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Use milk or cream in your tea to minimize stains. Studies show that casein, the main protein in milk, binds to the tannins in tea. [26] X Research source Tannins are responsible for most of the staining properties of tea. Because tea lightens when you add milk, thanks to the casein, you reduce the risk of staining your teeth. [27] X Research source
- Most teas contain some tannin content, but black tea has the highest levels. [28] X Research source
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Eat oranges to prevent tea stains. Oranges may cause you to produce more saliva, which cleans your teeth naturally. [29] X Research source
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Eat abrasive, fibrous foods to scrub out stains. Munching on fibrous vegetables and fruits may help scrub your teeth and prevent tooth stains. This includes broccoli, apples, pears, celery, and carrots. [30] X Research source
- Almonds, seeds, and other nuts may also strip away stains from your tooth enamel, whiten the surface of your teeth, and buff away discolorations. [31] X Research source
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Eat apples to clean your teeth. Remember that an apple a day keeps the doctor away? Well, eating apples increases saliva production and acts as the mouth’s self-cleaning agent. Apples may also kill bacteria that causes bad breath, and their abrasiveness can help scrub your teeth clean. [32] X Research source
- Alternatively, chew sugar-free gum. According to Vu, increased saliva from chewing gum will “neutralize the acids to flush out [stains].” [33]
X
Expert Source
Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- Alternatively, chew sugar-free gum. According to Vu, increased saliva from chewing gum will “neutralize the acids to flush out [stains].” [33]
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Expert Source
Tu Anh Vu, DMD
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat are some of your top recommendations on how to prevent stains on your teeth?Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.Any time you drink anything dark, it can stain your teeth if you don't swish with water or brush your teeth right away. If you can't do that, try chewing sugar-free gum to neutralize acid and remove stains from your teeth. Also, drink all of your dark drinks like coffee through a straw so they won't have as much contact with your teeth.
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Warnings
- Don’t overuse baking soda or anything acidic, as these can strip the enamel from your teeth. [34] X Trustworthy Source American Dental Association World's largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health Go to sourceThanks
- Prolonged gargling using hydrogen peroxide can burn your mouth, so be sure to dilute it and rinse after 2 minutes. [35] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7648695/
- ↑ https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4949.pdf
- ↑ https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30811-5/fulltext
- ↑ https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-05-2011/5-foods-that-whiten-teeth-naturally.html
- ↑ https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-05-2011/5-foods-that-whiten-teeth-naturally.html
- ↑ https://penndentalmedicine.org/blog/does-charcoal-toothpaste-work/
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/health/dental-oral-care/does-charcoal-toothpaste-work-a7477277301/
- ↑ https://www.besthealthmag.ca/article/activated-charcoal-improve-health/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6369603/
- ↑ https://www.123dentist.com/how-effective-are-whitening-toothpastes/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6369603/
- ↑ https://www.ada.org/en/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/whitening
- ↑ https://www.humana.com/prevention-and-care/healthy-living-and-prevention/dental-health/whitening-strips
- ↑ https://www.humana.com/prevention-and-care/healthy-living-and-prevention/dental-health/whitening-strips
- ↑ https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/whitening/
- ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/should-i-be-using-an-electric-toothbrush
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10928086/
- ↑ https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/dental-care/how-much-does-teeth-whitening-cost-with-insurance
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4121941/
- ↑ https://www.dentalhealth.org/tooth-whitening
- ↑ https://www.dentalhealth.org/tooth-whitening
- ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.ualberta.ca/school-of-dentistry/about-us/dentistrynews/2015/august/research-shows-adding-milk-to-tea-can-prevent-enamel-staining.html
- ↑ https://www.folio.ca/adding-milk-to-tea-can-prevent-stained-teeth/
- ↑ https://www.jocpr.com/articles/determination-of-tannin-content-by-titrimetric-method-from-different-types-of-tea.pdf
- ↑ https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-05-2011/5-foods-that-whiten-teeth-naturally.html
- ↑ https://hancockvillagedental.com/foods-fight-tooth-stains/
- ↑ https://hancockvillagedental.com/foods-fight-tooth-stains/
- ↑ https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-05-2011/5-foods-that-whiten-teeth-naturally.html
- ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/whitening/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22313923/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To remove tea stains from your teeth, try mashing up 4 or 5 strawberries and rubbing them on your teeth. Leave the strawberries on your teeth for 5 minutes before brushing them. You can also brush your teeth with activated charcoal to get rid of stains. Just make sure you use an old toothbrush so you don’t get charcoal on your regular one. For stubborn tea stains, you may need to use commercial whitening strips or whitening toothpaste. Consider buying an electric toothbrush, which might be more effective at getting rid of stains than a regular one. For more tips, including how to prevent staining your teeth in the future, read on!
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