Hot Tea vs Cold Tea: What Stains Teeth Worse?

What Causes Teeth Stains From Tea?

Three factors cause staining from tea: 1) quantity of tannin 2) acidic pH levels and 3) temperature. The image below shows the level of staining based on those three factors. Staining is more predominant once you start drinking coffee-shop brews up to surprisingly black tea as the worst offender!

Anatomy of Teeth

Teeth are constructed of thousands of tubes that reach the inner nerve endings. When these tubes are more exposed or when cavities are present then the teeth have more crevices for stain to hide into. Assuming your teeth are healthy, these widened tubules promote staining.

Tannin

Hot teas pull more tannin from tea leaves than cold tea so hot teas become more concentrated or have a richer taste. There is a direct correlation with the darker the tea the more tannin is present. Tannin is also very sticky and will easily adhere to teeth externally and internally.

Acidic Levels

For cavities to grow they need an acidic environment of 0-5.5pH. Teas except hibiscus or black tea are typically safe to drink to avoid cavities; however, the more tea becomes acidic the more erosive teeth become and then easily stain. This occurs when adding more sugar causing lactic acid in the mouth. Black tea is relatively acidic but this can be countered by adding milk.

White tea 6.9-9.7pH

Peppermint/Chamomile 6.0-7.0pH

Green Tea 7.0-10pH

Oolong Tea 5.5-8.2pH

Hibiscus Tea 3.0-4.0pH

Black Tea 4.9-5.5pH

Hot vs Cold Tea: What Stains Worse?

When drinking hot drinks the teeth tubes get more exposed, which permits stains from tea to run deeper into the teeth. Cold tea is less destructive to teeth enamel allowing a more smooth surface and less potential for stain to stick. Cold tea is also typically consumed with a straw so there is less contact on teeth as well.

8 Solutions to Reducing Staining From Tea:

1. Drink white or chamomile tea. Green tea is right on the cusp of causing mild staining

2. Drink cold tea over hot tea

3. Drink water after you are done drinking tea

4. Drink tea with a straw when socially acceptable

5. Add milk to your tea, particularly black tea

6. Drink tea in one setting; avoid sipping throughout the day on green, oolong, hibiscus, or black tea

7. Brush twice a day with toothpaste that has fluoride

8. The easiest solution to reducing stain from tea--stop drinking tea altogether