That Cup of Coffee and Glass of Wine Are Staining Your Teeth. Here's How to Keep Your Smile Bright Without Giving Up Your Favorite Drinks

CNET

4 days ago

If you're anything like me, morning coffee is non-negotiable. It's the one thing I look forward to every morning and gets me out of bed. The same can be said about wine. Some can't seem to forgo that nightcap, whether it's a crisp white on a patio or a bold red on a date night.
As much as these drinks off us joy, they can also secretly sabotage our smiles. Over time, you might start noticing that your once bright teeth are looking a little dull. So that begs the question: How do you enjoy coffee and wine without turning your teeth a few shades darker? I asked Dr. Anjali Rajpal, board-certified dentist at Beverly Hills Dental Arts, to break it down and offer dentist-approved ways to prevent staining without sacrificing your favorite drinks.
Why do coffee and wine stain your teeth?
The short answer is a combination of chromogens (a substance that can be colorless but can be converted into a colored compound, often through a chemical reaction), tannins and acidity.
"Coffee and red wine stain teeth because they contain dark pigments called chromogens that stick to enamel. Tannins in these drinks help the pigments bind more strongly to the teeth. Their acidity also weakens enamel, making it easier for stains to set in," Rajpal told CNET. She explains that darker roasts and concentrated coffee like espresso tend to stain teeth more than lighter brews. Likewise, red wine stains more than white, especially darker, tannin-rich varieties like cabernet sauvignon and malbec. "The longer these drinks stay in contact with your teeth, the more likely they are to cause staining," Rajpal said.
Read more: The 8 Best Coffee Subscriptions of 2025, Tested by Coffee Lovers
Does some coffee or wine stain your teeth more than others?
It turns out that, yes, certain types of coffee and wine can stain your teeth more. "Darker roasts and concentrated coffee like espresso tend to stain teeth more than lighter brews. Red wine stains more than white, especially darker, tannin-rich varieties like cabernet sauvignon and malbec," Rajpal explains. She also mentions that the longer these drinks stay in contact with your teeth, the more likely they are to cause staining.
The type of coffee and wine isn't the only thing you should consider when trying to keep your teeth white. The temperature of a drink can influence how much it can stain your teeth. Hot beverages are more likely to cause stains than iced ones. "Heat can slightly expand enamel, making it more porous and allowing pigments to penetrate more easily," Rajpal said. "While iced drinks may have less impact due to quicker consumption and lower enamel exposure, the type and frequency of the drink matter more overall."
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Tips to keep your teeth white without sacrificing your favorite drinks, according to a dentist
Protecting your teeth from stains doesn't mean you have to give up your morning cup of Joe. Follow these dentist-approved tips to keep your pearly whites healthy and bright:
Sip your drink through a straw
Straws help the liquid bypass your front teeth, minimizing the contact that leads to visible staining. Rajpal recommends using a straw for iced drinks and rinsing your mouth with water afterward" to reduce staining from coffee or wine.
Drink your coffee or wine in one sitting
One of the worst things you can do is sip your coffee or wine slowly for hours. "Sipping slowly throughout the day constantly exposes your enamel to staining compounds and gives your teeth less time to recover, making stains more likely to build up over time," Rajpal says. Try to enjoy your drink over a 15- to 30-minute period, then rinse with water after.
Rinse, don't brush, right after
I know this one seems counterintuitive, but brushing your teeth right after you have coffee or wine can actually do more harm. "Avoid brushing immediately after drinking, as acids can soften enamel and make it more vulnerable," Rajpal recommends. "Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing to protect softened enamel, and give a break between snacking or eating to boost natural cleansing by saliva."
Pair your drink with enamel-friendly foods
Certain foods can help neutralize acid and reduce the length of time pigments stay on teeth. Rajpal recommends crunchy foods like apples, carrots and celery, which gently scrub teeth and boost saliva, which helps wash away pigments. Cheese and leafy greens create a protective layer on enamel, while strawberries contain natural acids that can mildly brighten teeth.
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Maintain teeth-whitening habits
It's best to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing to protect softened enamel. Timing also matters -- give your teeth a break between snacking or eating to boost natural cleansing by saliva. Rajpal also recommends products like remineralizing toothpaste and minimal intervention paste (a topical tooth cream that protects teeth and can improve overall oral hygiene).
How to whiten teeth stained by coffee or wine
If your teeth are already showing signs of staining, there are things you can do to whiten your teeth at home or at the dentist's office.
Get a professional cleaning
Before trying whitening products, Rajpal recommends scheduling a professional cleaning to remove surface stains and plaque buildup. For deeper stains, you can consider whitening treatments like in-office whitening or custom take-home trays. Maintaining results requires good oral hygiene and limiting staining habits.
Try gentle at-home whitening products
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to whiten your teeth at home is to use whitening toothpaste or kits. "Whitening strips use peroxide-based gels to lift surface stains, but they may contain other ingredients and preservatives, which may increase sensitivity," Rajpal said, adding that "LED kits often enhance this process with light to accelerate results."