Tea drinking is a daily ritual for millions of people, yet one common concern persists: does tea stain your teeth? With its rich colour and tannin-rich profile, it’s not surprising that many tea lovers worry about discolouration, especially compared with water or clear beverages.
This article explores the science behind tea stains, what causes them, how they compare with other drinks, and practical steps to minimise staining without giving up the teas you enjoy.
If you are interested in the broader landscape of Assam tea, how land and leaf shape the chemistry of tea compounds and how they influence flavour and body, head to our Ultimate Guide to Assam Tea, which provides a full overview.
Why Tea Can Stain Teeth
Tea contains naturally coloured compounds that can bind to tooth enamel and create stains over time.
The main players include:
Tannins
Tannins are polyphenolic compounds that contribute to astringency in tea. They also enhance colour and can make pigments in tea more likely to adhere to enamel. Tannins are found in higher concentration in black teas than in green teas, which is one reason darker teas are often perceived as staining more.
You can read more about how tannins function in tea in our article What Are Tannins in Tea? Do They Affect Taste, Digestion and Acidity.
Tea Pigments (Chromogens)
Chromogens are coloured organic molecules that are responsible for the deep hues in tea. Unlike in coffee, where chromogens are often the primary staining agents, in tea they act alongside tannins to adhere to the micro-surface of tooth enamel.
pH and Tooth Enamel
Acidic drinks can soften enamel temporarily, making surface staining easier. Tea is mildly acidic, but far less so than coffee or fruit juices. This contributes to staining potential, but is not the dominant factor.
For context on acidity, see our article Is Assam Tea Acidic? What It Means for Your Stomach, Teeth and Daily Drinking, which explains how tea’s pH compares with other beverages.
Tea vs Coffee, Red Wine and Other Staining Beverages
When it comes to tooth discolouration, tea is not alone.
Coffee
Coffee is widely recognised as one of the most staining everyday drinks due to both its chromogens and high acidity.
Red Wine
Red wine contains deeply coloured phenolic molecules and tannins that adhere strongly to enamel. It often ranks above tea and coffee in staining potential.
Dark Soda and Fruit Juice
These drinks can stain teeth not only because of colour but because their high acidity can soften enamel, allowing pigments to lodge more deeply.
In comparison, tea sits in the middle of the staining spectrum: more staining than water but typically less than coffee and red wine.
Does Black Tea Stain More Than Green Tea?
Yes, generally speaking, black tea has a higher likelihood of staining than green tea.
The reasons are:
- Black tea is fully oxidised, which increases chromogen formation
- Tannin profiles in black tea behave in ways that make coloured molecules more likely to bind to tooth enamel
- Green tea is lighter in colour and contains slightly different polyphenols
Both still contain stain-causing compounds, but black tea’s deeper colour makes the effect more visible.
For a deeper understanding about how tea leaves are processed to become green or black teas, our guide the differences between green tea and black tea explains this in detail.
Does Assam Tea Specifically Stain More?
Assam tea is full bodied and rich in colour, particularly when brewed strongly. That does not necessarily mean it stains more than other black teas of strength, but its deep amber colour means any staining that does occur may be more noticeable.
Staining is not a sign of poor quality; it is simply a function of colour and surface interaction.
Scientific Evidence on Tea and Tooth Staining
While there is limited research specifically on tea staining alone, dental researchers consistently observe that dark beverages contribute to extrinsic staining.
A 2013 study published in the Journal of Dentistry noted that the colour stability of enamel can be impacted by prolonged exposure to tea, coffee and wine, and that the severity of staining correlates with the strength and frequency of exposure.
Source: Alresheedi, S.A. et al., 2013. Journal of Dentistry research on extrinsic staining from common beverages.
Another study published in Clinical Oral Investigations found that tannin–chromogen complexes play a key role in staining intensity and that these complexes adhere to the enamel surface more readily in darker teas.
These studies confirm what daily drinkers often observe, but also show that staining is cumulative and closely tied to habits rather than tea type alone.
Practical Ways to Minimise Tea Stains
You do not have to give up tea to protect your smile. Here are evidence-based strategies:
Rinse with water after drinking tea - Swishing water immediately after drinking tea helps wash away chromogens before they attach.
Drink tea alongside meals - Food stimulates saliva production, which naturally cleanses the mouth.
Brush gently after 30 minutes - Brushing immediately after acidic exposure can harm softened enamel, but waiting half an hour and then brushing helps maintain oral hygiene without abrasion.
Use a straw occasionally - This can reduce contact with the front teeth, though it is more practical for iced teas.
Professional dental cleaning - Routine dental care can manage and reduce staining over time.
Does Milk Reduce Tea Stains?
Adding milk to tea does not change the chromogen content, but it can reduce staining tendency with a couple of effects:
- Milk proteins can bind tannins, reducing their ability to adhere
- The lighter overall colour of milk tea makes surface staining less noticeable
- This does not eliminate staining entirely, but it can make stains develop more slowly.
If you enjoy Assam tea with milk, as many people do, your daily cup may be less likely to produce noticeable staining than a plain, strongly brewed black tea of similar strength.
You can learn more about how milk interacts with tea in Can You Drink Assam Tea With Milk?
When to See a Dentist
If staining becomes a cosmetic concern, a dental professional can:
- Perform enamel polishing or professional cleaning
- Suggest whitening treatments
- Advise on enamel health
Staining is not inherently harmful. It is mostly an aesthetic issue resulting from coloured molecules attaching to the surface, and is not a sign of disease.
What Really Matters
Tea is a comforting daily ritual for many people. Staining is usually gradual, subtle and manageable.
Compared to coffee and red wine, tea is less damaging to enamel and typically less staining in direct comparison. For most people, simple oral hygiene and mindful drinking habits are all that is needed to enjoy tea without visible discolouration.
If you would like to learn more about how tea interacts with your body, our article on tannins explains the compounds responsible for both flavour and surface interaction.
To see how Assam tea’s land, leaf and craft shape its chemistry and character, return to our Ultimate Guide to Assam Tea, where the full story comes together.