10 Foods and Drinks That Stain Teeth (and How to Limit Staining)

The foods and drinks most likely to stain your teeth are coffee, tea and red wine, followed by strongly coloured foods such as berries, beetroot and spices. Acidic drinks such as soft drinks and fruit juice add to the problem, because acid softens and wears enamel. You do not have to give any of them up: rinsing with water afterwards, having them less often and brushing twice a day all help keep your smile brighter.

This guide covers everyday staining: which foods and drinks cause it, why, and the simple habits Australian dental guidance recommends. If you have just finished a whitening treatment, the rule is different and shorter: see our teeth whitening aftercare guide.

Why do some foods and drinks stain teeth?

Strongly coloured foods and drinks contain pigments called chromogens. The Australian Dental Association explains that these pigments attach to the white tooth enamel and make it look darker. Acid works differently: it softens the outer surface of the tooth, which then wears away more easily, and as enamel thins, the yellower dentine underneath shows through.

So there are two things to watch: colour, which leaves stains on the surface, and acid, which wears the enamel over time.

The 10 foods and drinks that stain teeth most

1. Coffee. One of the main causes of surface staining, according to healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association. Love your coffee? Read teeth whitening for coffee lovers.
2. Tea. healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association both list tea alongside coffee and red wine as a cause of surface stains.
3. Red wine. Deeply coloured and named by both healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association as a major cause of staining.
4. Berries. Dark, richly coloured berries are on healthdirect's list of foods that can stain the outside of your teeth.
5. Beetroot. Another strongly coloured food that healthdirect lists as a cause of surface stains.
6. Spices. Strongly coloured spices can stain the tooth surface, healthdirect notes.
7. Soft drinks, energy drinks and sports drinks. The Australian Dental Association names these sugary, acidic drinks as a common cause of tooth erosion, which can leave teeth looking darker.
8. Fruit juice. With or without added sugar, fruit juice is acidic and on the same Australian Dental Association list.
9. Water with lemon or lime. Adding citrus makes water acidic. The Australian Dental Association does not recommend sipping it throughout the day.
10. Lollies and sugary snacks. Sugar does not stain in the same way, but healthdirect explains that plaque bacteria feed on sugar and make acid that dissolves enamel. Any dark spot or hole is a reason to see your dentist, not to whiten.

How can you stop food and drink from staining your teeth?

Rinse your mouth with water after food or drink that can stain, clean your teeth and floss every day, and do not smoke: these are the three steps healthdirect lists for avoiding stains. Having coffee, tea and acidic drinks with meals rather than sipping them for hours also cuts how long your teeth are exposed.

• Drink plain water through the day and rinse after coffee, tea, red wine or strongly spiced food.
• Have acidic drinks with a meal instead of sipping them slowly.
• After acidic food or drink, the Australian Dental Association suggests drinking water or milk, eating a piece of cheese or chewing sugar-free gum, and waiting 60 minutes before you brush.
• Brush twice a day for 2 minutes with a soft brush, and floss once a day.
• Use a whitening toothpaste: the Australian Dental Association says whitening toothpastes can help prevent and remove surface stains. SmilePro Whitening Toothpaste, with activated charcoal, helps lift everyday surface stains.
• See your dental practitioner every 6 to 12 months for a check-up and professional clean.

Do you have to give up coffee and red wine for white teeth?

No. Australian dental guidance is about habits, not banning foods: rinse your mouth with water after drinks that can stain, brush and floss every day, and have acidic drinks with meals rather than sipping them for hours. If you whiten, a 10-minute top-up every 2 weeks, or once a week if you drink a lot of coffee, tea or red wine, helps stop new stains building up.

What can you eat and drink straight after teeth whitening?

After each treatment, wait 1 hour before eating or drinking anything except water. After that hour you can eat and drink as normal, including coffee and tea; rinse with water afterwards to help your result last. Our aftercare guide has the full routine.

Can teeth whitening remove food and drink stains?

Yes, in most cases. healthdirect says whitening can improve the appearance of stained or discoloured teeth, and with the SmilePro kit even years of coffee, tea, red wine and smoking stains can lift. Stains inside the tooth are different: healthdirect notes that a gel applied to the outside will not whiten them. Read what causes tooth discolouration to work out which kind you have.

The SmilePro Advanced Teeth Whitening Kit takes 10 minutes a day for 7 days, for up to 8 shades whiter. Its gel is 6% hydrogen peroxide with potassium nitrate, used with a blue and red LED light.

Does drinking water help prevent stains on teeth?

Yes. healthdirect recommends drinking plain water throughout the day instead of soft drinks, energy drinks and fruit juice, and rinsing your mouth with water after food or drink that can discolour your teeth. It is the easiest habit on this list.

SmilePro whitening products are not suitable for anyone under 18, or anyone pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have sensitive teeth or unhealthy gums, see a dentist first.

Lift years of coffee, tea and red wine stains: shop the SmilePro Advanced Teeth Whitening Kit →

Sources

This guide is general information, not dental advice. If you have any concerns about your teeth or gums, speak to a dentist.

• healthdirect Australia, Teeth whitening, last reviewed February 2025.
• healthdirect Australia, Dental care and teeth cleaning, last reviewed November 2024.
• Australian Dental Association, Teeth staining and Tooth erosion, teeth.org.au.
• SmilePro product information: Advanced Teeth Whitening Kit, Whitening Toothpaste.

Last updated: 8 October 2026.