How to Get Rid of Tea Stained Teeth
If you are prone to drinking tea, you may have noticed that your teeth are beginning to take on a yellow-ish tint from the discoloration caused by the tea. While tea stains may not seem like a major issue, they can cause self-confidence issues and unsightly discoloration. Fortunately, there are ways to remove tea stains from your teeth and keep them looking beautiful.
Removing Tea Stains from Your Teeth
Restoring your teeth to their original, white color does not have to involve complicated trips to the dentist or purchasing expensive whitening strips. You can get rid of tea-stained teeth with items you already have at home. Here are a few steps you can take to remove and prevent tea stains from occurring on your teeth:
- Brush your teeth regularly: If you make sure to brush your teeth twice a day, you can reduce the buildup of tea staining and prevent the tea pigments from settling in the enamel of your teeth.
- Rinse with baking soda: Baking soda has a mild abrasive quality which helps to remove tea staining from the surface of your teeth. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with half a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to create a paste. Apply the paste to your teeth with a toothbrush and rinse with water afterwards. Do this every other day to gradually remove tea stains.
- Use strawberries: Strawberries contain an enzyme, malic acid, which can help to naturally whiten teeth. To use this method, mash up a few strawberries in a bowl and make a paste by adding a few drops of baking soda. Apply the paste to your teeth and wait three minutes before rinsing your mouth. This should help to lighten any tea staining.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has acidic properties that act as a natural way to remove teeth discoloration. Mix one part apple cider vinegar with two parts water and swish the mixture around your mouth for one minute. Do this once a week or as needed to reduce tea staining.
Preventing Teeth Discoloration
While you can use the above methods to remove tea staining from your teeth, it’s even better to avoid the buildup of tea-induced discoloration. Here are some tips to prevent tea stains from forming:
- Drink your tea through a straw: This helps to reduce the contact of tea with your teeth, which can prevent staining from building up.
- Brush your teeth after drinking tea: If you cannot brush your teeth after drinking tea, you can rinse your mouth with water to reduce the amount of tea that adheres to the enamel of your teeth.
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking water helps to flush away food particles and tea residue in your mouth. It also helps to reduce the staining of teeth by washing away tea pigments.
- Use fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride toothpaste is formulated to protect your teeth from the staining that can occur with tea and other dark beverages. Make sure to use a fluoride toothpaste when brushing your teeth.
Conclusion
Tea-stained teeth can be an unsightly blemish on otherwise beautiful smiles, but you don’t have to suffer from discoloration any longer. With the tips outlined in this article, you can remove existing stains, prevent future staining, and restore your bright and healthy smile.
