Are Your Beverages Staining Your Teeth?

Protect Your Smile from Common Stain-Causing Drinks

The holiday season is here, and with it comes laughter, celebration, and shared moments over your favorite drinks. But many of those seasonal beverages may be leaving behind more than just memories — they could be discoloring your teeth. At Dental Studios in Summit and Westfield, New Jersey, Dr. Daniel Butensky, Dr. Stephen T. Busby, and Dr. Meirrel Hosny want to help you keep your smile bright all year long.

Our team has created this guide to help you identify which stain-causing drinks contribute to tooth discoloration, what you can do to prevent surface stains, and how our advanced teeth whitening options can help you achieve a natural tooth color again.

How Do Drinks Stain Teeth?

Not all tooth stains come from what you consume — some are intrinsic and develop beneath the tooth enamel due to factors like injury, excess fluoride, or certain medications. However, most visible stains are extrinsic, meaning they develop on the tooth surface from external sources like chewing tobacco, poor oral hygiene, or frequently consumed beverages.

Many drinks contain pigments known as chromogens that cling to your tooth enamel, creating stains over time. Others are highly acidic, wearing away enamel and exposing the underlying dentin, the naturally yellow part of your teeth. The combination of pigment and acid is what makes tooth discoloration from beverages so common.

Drinks That Commonly Stain Your Teeth

If you’re trying to maintain a white smile, it’s wise to limit or rinse after consuming these stain-causing drinks:

Red wine is a major culprit. Its high tannin content and deep pigment can quickly stain teeth, especially with frequent consumption. Coffee, tea, and dark sodas also contribute to surface stains due to both their acidity and dark coloring. Even fruit juices from berries or beets can lead to tooth stains if consumed regularly.

What about beer? Studies suggest that dark beers are more likely to stain your teeth than light beers, thanks to their deeper coloration and sometimes higher acidity. If you’re a beer enthusiast, opting for lighter varieties and rinsing with water afterward can help reduce staining. And don’t forget that many carbonated drinks, including sports drinks and citrus-based beverages, erode tooth enamel and make staining worse over time.

Can Baking Soda Whiten Teeth?

Baking soda is a popular at-home remedy for stain removal. Its mildly abrasive nature can help polish away some extrinsic tooth discoloration, especially when used occasionally in addition to regular brushing. However, overuse may wear down tooth enamel, so it’s not recommended as a primary whitening strategy. For deeper or more persistent stains, professional teeth whitening products provide more reliable, long-term results.

How Teeth Whitening Helps Remove Stains

If you already have yellow stains or deeply discolored teeth, don’t worry — we offer several teeth whitening solutions at Dental Studios tailored to your smile and comfort. Our in-office laser whitening treatment uses a concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel and a special light to lighten your teeth by several shades in one visit. It’s safe, fast, and highly effective against common tooth stains.

We also provide Opalescence Go™ — a flexible at-home system that uses pre-filled trays and delivers results in a matter of weeks. These whitening products are designed to be gentle on your oral health while significantly improving tooth color.

For patients with stubborn stains or additional aesthetic concerns like chips or gaps, porcelain veneers can completely transform your smile. Veneers not only cover discolored teeth, but also resist staining far better than natural teeth.

Preventing Tooth Stains Year-Round

Keeping your teeth white isn’t just about what you drink — it’s also about how you care for your smile. Practicing good oral hygiene, brushing after meals, flossing daily, and staying current with dental cleanings all help prevent buildup that contributes to tooth discoloration. Using a straw can also reduce the contact acidic foods and drinks have with your tooth surface, especially if you’re indulging in holiday cocktails or carbonated drinks.

Rinsing with water after enjoying stain-causing drinks helps dilute acids and remove residue before they settle into your enamel. Combined with regular checkups and smart lifestyle choices, these steps can help you keep your teeth looking whiter for longer.

Schedule Your Whitening Consultation Today

If you’re concerned about tooth discoloration or looking to brighten your smile after a season of indulging in stain-causing drinks, our team is here to help. At Dental Studios in Summit and Westfield, we’re proud to offer advanced teeth whitening services and personalized treatment options designed to restore your smile’s natural brilliance.

Contact our Summit office at (908) 520-7271 or our Westfield location at (908) 490-6185, or complete our contact form to schedule your consultation. The Dental Studio is an excellent choice for family and children’s dentistry as well as senior dental care.