Why does coffee stain teeth?

The surface of your teeth is made up of something called tooth enamel. This is a hard material that protects the inner tissues of the teeth. As hard as enamel is, it is still porous, which leaves it susceptible to staining with prolonged exposure to certain foods or drinks. Two of the most common culprits that stain teeth with prolonged use are coffee and tea. Coffee and tea both have brown or yellow dyes that can stain your teeth over time. Many of us need our coffee in the morning to get started and our tea at night to relax. Unfortunately, if it is a daily routine for you then you may have to worry about your teeth becoming stained. The enamel covering your tooth is actually semi-transparent. Underneath the enamel is a material called dentin, which is softer than enamel. Prolonged exposure to these drinks can cause the dye to penetrate the enamel and stain the dentin, which is how most visible tooth stains appear. There are various treatments you can use to improve the coloring in your teeth, and to remove stains. One of the most popular is over the counter teeth whitening kits. These can consist of trays, or strips that are placed on the teeth, and often contain whitening agents such as hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide penetrates the enamel of the teeth and helps bleach any stains that may reside there. This can give your smile and overall whiter appearance. Your teeth can also be whitened at an oral hygienist, or dentist office. They will often use peroxides along with a bright light to help penetrate deep into the teeth and remove any staining that has occurred. This method is very effective, but often expensive so most people will opt for the over the counter whitening kits.