Both coffee and red wine are beloved across the world and they’re also both notorious for their capabilities to stain teeth. Coffee contains tannins and chromogens, which can adhere to the enamel and cause discoloration. Similarly, red wine is also rich in chromogens and has high acidity, which can roughen enamel and make staining worse.1,2

 

Many people wonder whether whitening their teeth means they need to avoid these favorite beverages or risk jeopardizing their whitening results.

 

Don’t worry, coffee and wine enjoyers, there is no need to abstain from dark-colored foods and drinks. Whitening does not make the teeth more susceptible to staining during or immediately after the active whitening process.3 Consuming coffee or red wine during or directly after the whitening process actually decreases the likelihood of stains compared to consuming them if you weren't whitening.

 

 

This is because any product consumed during the whitening process would be nullified by the whitening treatment; coffee or wine would not have the opportunity to stain or discolor during or directly after whitening because the whitening product is still on teeth.

 

There is some research saying that consuming staining substances like coffee and red wine immediately after whitening can diminish the effectiveness of the treatment and make teeth more prone to absorbing pigments from dark-colored foods and drinks.4 However, these studies were performed on non-vital (dead), extracted teeth instead of live patients with intact teeth. Using non-vital teeth means the teeth aren’t being cared for with daily oral hygiene habits and this appears to have impacted results in this study. 5

 

While whitening with products like Opalescence™ teeth whitening does not make teeth more susceptible to staining during the process, it’s still important to practice good oral hygiene.1  

 

 

Your journey to a brighter smile doesn't mean you have to completely give up the things you love. It's about finding balance between food and drink choices, practicing good dental hygiene, and maintaining teeth whitening results through necessary touch-ups. By being mindful of these factors, you can maximize your whitening results and still enjoy your favorite treats.

FAQs

  1. Do I need to give up coffee and red wine if I whiten my teeth?

No. You don’t have to give up your favorite beverages. Whitening does not make teeth more vulnerable to staining during or immediately after treatment.

  1. Why are coffee and red wine known for staining teeth?

Both drinks contain chromogens, which are pigments that stick to enamel, and tannins, which help stains adhere more strongly. Red wine also has high acidity, which can roughen enamel and make staining worse.

  1. If I drink coffee or wine during whitening, will it ruin the process?

No. In fact, consuming these beverages during or right after whitening doesn’t lead to extra staining. That’s because the whitening agent is still active on your teeth, essentially neutralizing any pigments that would normally cause discoloration.

  1. Why do some studies say teeth stain more easily after whitening?

Some research suggests staining is worse immediately after whitening, but those studies used non-vital (extracted, dead) teeth. These teeth weren’t maintained with normal oral hygiene, which likely influenced the results. Live, healthy teeth don’t behave the same way.

  1. What can I do to protect my whitening results long-term?

Even though whitening reduces immediate staining risks, maintaining results still requires:

  • Practicing good daily oral hygiene.
  • Being mindful about food and drink choices.
  • Doing touch-ups as needed with your whitening system.

References

  1. Côrtes G, Pini NP, Lima DA, et al. Influence of coffee and red wine on tooth color during and after bleaching. Acta Odontol Scand. 2013;71(6):1475-1480. doi:10.3109/00016357.2013.771404
  2. Celik C, Yüzügüllü B, Erkut S, Yazici AR. Effect of bleaching on staining susceptibility of resin composite restorative materials. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2009;21(6):407-414. doi:10.1111/j.1708-8240.2009.00299.x
  3. Briso AL, Fagundes TC, Gallinari MO, et al. An In-situ study of the influence of staining beverages on color alteration of bleached teeth. Oper Dent. 2016;41(6):627-633. doi:10.2341/15-306-L
  4. Karadas M, Seven N. The effect of different drinks on tooth color after home bleaching. Eur J Dent. 2014;8(2):249-253. doi:10.4103/1305-7456.130622
  1. Ziada N, Al Yasaky M, Elsharkawy D. Effect of bleaching on the staining susceptibility of enamel and composite resin: an in vitro study. Al-Azhar J Dent. 2020;7(4):16. doi 21608/adjg.2020.14143.1175