Posts Tagged ‘Tea’

Tea, good or bad for teeth?

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

Tea is good for just about every part of your body, but it can contribute to unsightly stains on your teeth over time.
Having your teeth bleached by a dentist is the most effective way to regain that white smile. However, you could still take a good care of your teeth by doing some preventative care.
Here are a few things you can try at home to whiten your teeth.

Tea, the good and the bad

Does Tea Stain Teeth?

Anything that will stain your clothing will also stain your teeth. Wine, coffee and tea are all culprits. Green tea is less staining than black tea, but over time you may see the effects on your less-than-pearly whites. Drinking tea or coffee stains or discolors the dental plaque, but not the teeth itself. If the plaque is not completely brushed and flossed away within 24 hours, it begins to harden and becomes what is commonly known as tartar. This tartar is porous and further absorbs stains from other food products. When a dentist cleans your teeth, he removes the tartar and plaque. When the tartar and plaque go away, so do the teeth stains.

Tea Staining Tip #1: See A Dentist or DIY?

Now you will ask: Do I have to go to the dentist to have the stains removed? First, you should know that there is a difference between removing stains from teeth and whitening teeth. There are several effective ways to remove stains; true whitening will require chemicals and is somewhat harder to achieve at home.

Tea Staining Tip #2: Minimise Teeth Stains

Here are the steps to keep tea and other beverages from staining your teeth:

  • Rinse your mouth with water after drinking tea.
  • Brush and floss daily. Flossing will remove the plaque that tends to build up between the teeth, staining the edges.
  • Brush with baking soda. Old-fashioned baking soda can remove stains, although it does not actually whiten or bleach the teeth. Make a paste of baking soda and salt, brush it on twice weekly.
  • After brushing, rinse with hydrogen peroxide.
  • Use a whitening toothpaste.

Finally!

Drinking tea is so good for you. Stains on the teeth are one of the very few unpleasant side effects of drinking this terrific beverage. Green tea contains fluoride which strengthens teeth. It has been shown by scientific studies to kill bacteria and viruses in the mouth which cause bad breath. So overall, it still does a lot of good to your oral hygiene. Use the tips above to reduce tooth staining, and ask your dentist if bleaching is a good alternative for you. Keep drinking your tea every day – the rest of your body will thank you!

Read the full article: Tea Staining and Teeth, 5 Whitening and Removal Tips

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