Suspense Crime, Digital Desk : Tea, coffee, and cola are some of the most frequently consumed beverages worldwide. However, each of these drinks interacts with teeth differently. According to a dentist, black tea may be the top contributor to stained teeth due to the presence of tannins, followed by coffee.Most Indians have a cup of tea with their morning meal and then a cup of coffee at work. Often, there may be a cola with an Indian meal too. While they are an indispensable part of life, there are often debates about which beverage contributes the most to our smile.According to Dr Preyas Gaikwad, Dental Surgeon and Implantologist at Dr Gaikwad's Dental Clinic, Pune, each of these three drinks impacts oral health in its own unique way. However, based solely on staining, the champion of this fight may indeed be black tea.Black Tea is the Champion of staining for a reasonTea might be often considered to be a healthier beverage than many others, but it can still wreak a surprising amount of damage on the appearance of teeth."Black tea contains tannins and other colour compounds which strongly bind to the tooth enamel. If you drink several cups a day or sip tea slowly over the course of the day, these can cause a yellow or brownish discolouration," explains Dr Gaikwad. The effect is amplified if the teeth are not professionally cleaned over a prolonged period.Coffee trails a close secondSimilar to tea, coffee too is considered to be a significant contributor to tooth discolouration.It possesses certain dark pigments that bind easily with the enamel and dental plaque and gradually give the teeth a dull, yellowish or brown hue. The intensity of the stains depends on how many cups of coffee you drink in a day and how well you maintain oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist. While adding sugar to the drink doesn't directly contribute to staining, it does enhance the risk of tooth decay and other dental problems.Cola might be a less potent stain contributor but a significant threat overallDespite their dark colour, you might be surprised to know that neither tea nor coffee poses as much of a staining threat as is perceived. It is cola which is often assumed to be the strongest culprit.The primary concern associated with cola isn't the staining itself, but its acidity."The acidic content in cola will erode the tooth enamel, weakening it. Once the enamel is weakened it readily absorbs stains from other foods or beverages, making them much more prominent," shares Dr Gaikwad. It also has a high sugar content.So, which one damages your teeth the most?Based on sheer staining power alone, Dr Gaikwad places the beverages in the following order:Black teaCoffeeColaWhile cola may be the least powerful contender in terms of staining, the damaging effect it has on the enamel, thereby increasing the tendency to absorb stains, is definitely considerable.Simple remedies for teeth stain reductionDon't fret, the solution is not to ditch your favorite beverages altogether. Some simple steps can save your teeth:Rinse your mouth with plain water immediately after consuming tea, coffee, or colaAvoid brushing your teeth right after consuming acidic food and drink (like cola)Use a straw to drink cold soft drinksReduce your consumption of added sugarBrush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpasteFloss dailyGet professional dental cleanings regularly, as per your dentist’s recommendations.Each of the three drinks – tea, coffee and cola – has its own potential to damage the appearance and health of our teeth, but black tea emerges as the champion of staining among the three. Coffee comes in at a close second while cola's acidity makes it a significant threat to the strength of our teeth.
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