What effect do popular drinks have on teeth? An American dentist’s experiment

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 01. 16. 11:23

According to the experiment, red wine turned out to be the strongest tooth stainer. The alcoholic beverage not only stained the enamel but also the root of the tooth completely, giving the teeth a purple color. Cola also had a significant effect: it caused dark discoloration, while its acidic properties also created small pits in the tooth structure. According to Dr. Madison, the acid literally “ate” the tooth enamel and part of the root.

Of the morning drinks, coffee caused stronger discoloration than tea. The crown of the tooth soaked in coffee turned a yellowish shade, while the root took on a deep brown color. Tea caused a similar, but less intense discoloration.

Is the experiment realistic?

Dr. Madison emphasized that the experiment does not fully reflect real-life conditions, since people do not soak their teeth in such drinks for 10 hours. However, the study found that popular drinks such as coffee, tea and wine can indeed contribute significantly to tooth discoloration, as can other habits such as smoking.

Discoloration is not always dangerous

The dentist stressed that most tooth discoloration is simply an aesthetic problem and does not indicate any health problems. Most of this type of discoloration can be removed with a professional cleaning. However, persistent yellow teeth can also indicate that someone is brushing too quickly after consuming acidic foods or drinks, which can be harmful to the enamel.