Tannins Stain Teeth

Coffee, tea, wine, chocolate and many fruits and vegetables are tooth-stainers due to an antioxidant called tannic acid. Tanic acid, which is more commonly known as tannin, is a naturally occurring “vegetable dye” found in many plants in varying concentrations. Some plants have little and product a light yellow stain if any, while other plants have a richer, darker brown stain.

Tannins are found in beverages such as:

•    coffee 
•    tea 
•    wine 
•    beer and 
other alcoholic drinks 
•    fruit juices 
•    colas 
•    cocoa 
•    tomato juice 
•    and more…

They’re also in foods like:

•    chocolate 
•    blueberries 
•   tomatoes 
•    strawberries 
•    nuts 
•    cranberries 
•    cinnamon 
•    fermented foods 
•    and more…

Tannins, which have been used for centuries as dyes and inks, react strongly with almost any protein, including the proteins in the teeth.

In their natural state, tannins keep plants healthy by protecting them from bugs, and are known as antioxidants, which protect us from harmful free radicals. Some plants have a lot more tannic acid than others, which accounts for why some foods and beverages, like blueberries and coffee, are more likely to stain than others.

Because these antioxidant-rich foods are so healthy, it’s best not to avoid them simply because they are known to stain teeth. If you are concerned about tooth stains, be sure to brush your teeth after eating and to floss once daily.

Twice daily use of oral care probiotics can also help remove tooth stains caused by tannins in foods and beverages. Because these beneficial bacteria release a continuous, low dose of natural hydrogen peroxide, a known tooth whitener, they work as a natural tooth-stain eraser. Probiotics make it possible to have your antioxidant-rich foods and your whiter teeth too!