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12 Surprising Foods and Drinks That Stain Your Teeth — And What to Do

Top-down view of a table displaying foods and drinks that cause tooth stains, like coffee, sauces, and soda

We can all agree that food is one of the most effective ways to comfort us. Feeling heartbroken? Grab an ice cream. Too sluggish to cook? Order your favorite Chinese takeout. Want to celebrate something special? Cook a hearty steak and pasta. Whatever the event, food will always be there as our one-way ticket to happiness.

But here's the twist: Some of your favorite meals may be silently staining your teeth.

Here are 12 foods and drinks that cause tooth stains — and how to whiten your teeth without damaging your enamel or cutting them out of your diet completely.

Common Foods That Stain Teeth More Than You’d Expect

1. Tea (yes, even Green Tea)

Cup of green tea, a drink with tannins that can stain teeth

Teas may be healthy for your gut, but not for your teeth! They contain tannins — compounds responsible for their bitter flavor and rich color. When consumed frequently, tannins can sneak into the pores of your teeth (yes, they have pores) and cause discoloration over time. Many black, herbal, and green teas contain tannins.

2. Red Wine

Glass of red wine resting on grapes, a deeply pigmented drink that causes purple tooth stains

Despite the luxurious vibe brought by wine, its pigment and high acid content aren’t exactly classy for your teeth. Red wine contains anthocyanins, the pigment behind its purple shade. If combined with the impact of tannins on your enamel structure, this drink’s vibrant component will certainly contribute to tooth discoloration.

3. White Wine

Glasses of white wine, an acidic beverage that weakens enamel

Bet you didn’t see that coming, huh? Although lighter in color, white wine is still acidic enough to wear down your enamel and leave your teeth more vulnerable to damage and stains.

4. Coffee

Mug of coffee, a common cause of tooth discoloration

Yup… not even your favorite drink is safe from the list. Coffee, like tea and red wine, consists of tannins. In fact, even those milk-infused coffee beverages could still stain your teeth. What’s more, coffee can cause bacteria growth over time, which often contributes to tooth and enamel erosion, halitosis or bad breath, and even TMJ.

5. Soda/Cola

Bottles of cola, a drink that contributes to tooth stains

Health-wise, it’s obvious. Tooth-wise? Not a surprise. Fizzy drinks like soda tend to have high acid and sugar content. There are two kinds of acids: phosphoric and citric. Colas contain phosphoric acid, a common culprit for enamel erosion. Additionally, chromogens are found in this teeth-staining beverage — stubborn pigments that cling to enamel. All in all, soda is the drink if you want to quickly stain your teeth.

6. Tomato-Based Sauces

Saucepan filled with tomato-based sauce, an acidic food known to stain teeth

Tomatoes are naturally acidic, with a pH ranging from 4.30 to 4.90. According to Healthline, pH levels determine acidity: 0 is highly acidic, 7 is neutral, and 14 is alkaline. This makes tomatoes a strong contender for any list focused on teeth staining foods.

7. Curry

Bowl of yellow curry, containing turmeric that can tint teeth temporarily

Curries are a trademark of Southeastern cuisine, known for their bold flavors, rich colors, and turmeric; a spice that doesn’t permanently stain teeth but can leave a stubborn tint for a short time.

8. Berries

Assorted berries like blueberries and raspberries, rich in pigments that stain enamel

Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are berry notorious for causing tooth discoloration (pun fully intended). While they offer plenty of benefits for a healthy diet, these tiny treats are loaded with highly pigmented compounds that can stain not just your teeth, but even dental work. To make matters worse, their natural acidity can weaken enamel, leaving your teeth more vulnerable to future stains and damage.

9. Soy Sauce

Pouring soy sauce, a dark condiment that can discolor teeth over time

Soy sauce is a staple ingredient with many uses: from marinating meats to serving as a sushi dip to enhancing the flavor of rice dishes and soups. Despite the umami it brings, too much soy sauce can contribute to enamel staining. Its production involves processes like long fermentation, double fermentation, and acid hydrolysis—all of which intensify the sauce’s acidity and dark pigmentation, making it more likely to discolor your teeth over time.

10. Balsamic Vinegar

Bottle of balsamic vinegar, an acidic liquid that can leave brown stains on teeth

Similar to soy sauce, this sweet Italian vinegar also packs an acidic punch that can stain your teeth. According to WebMD, unlike most foods containing acetic acid, balsamic vinegar should be consumed in moderation. Overexposure to this acid can erode enamel and leave brownish or yellowish stains on your teeth.

11. Beets

Whole beets in a crate, deeply pigmented vegetables that can stain teeth with their natural colorIf it can stain your cutting board, imagine what it can do to your teeth. Beets are easily recognized for their bold, reddish-purple hue—a wine-like color caused by a natural pigment called Betanin. They’re considered a teeth-staining food, especially when consumed in juice form, where the pigment is more concentrated.

12. Hard Candies and Popsicles

Colorful hard candies, sweets with synthetic dyes that stain teethLast but definitely not least: sweets! An occasional sugary treat won’t do much harm, but frequent indulgence in high amounts can lead to tooth discoloration, decay, and even abscesses. On top of that, many sweets contain synthetic dyes that can leave behind a stubborn tint on your teeth.

Could your daily drink be behind that brown or gray tint on your teeth? Learn what those colors actually mean: Tooth Stain Colors Explained: What Yellow, Gray, and Purple Teeth Really Mean

How to Prevent Teeth Discoloration: Tips That Actually Work

We know how difficult it can be to completely cut out the foods and drinks mentioned above from your diet. That’s why we’re here to help you navigate tooth discoloration more effectively.

Aside from proper oral hygiene, here are 5 ways to avoid stains on your teeth and dental work:

  1. For drinks, try not to let it linger in your mouth for too long. If possible, use a straw to minimize the contact of the liquid with your teeth. For coffee, avoid drinking it on an empty stomach. Ensure that you hydrate yourself more with water than with carbonated, alcoholic, or caffeinated drinks.

  2. For sauces, moderation is key. Try looking for healthier alternatives such as liquid aminos, coconut aminos, and Worcestershire sauce to resemble the flavor you’re looking for. Rinse your mouth with water after eating as well.

  3. For sweet fruits and treats, avoid overconsumption, as too much sugary food can cause damage to your teeth and discomfort to your digestive system. Look for healthier, less processed, and low-acid content delicacies to satisfy your cravings. Do not brush your teeth right after eating sweets, wait for 30 minutes to protect your enamel.

  4. For an effective and affordable at-home teeth whitening treatment, try ClearClub’s Whitening Kit! The kit comes in 3 intensities: 10%, 20%, and 30%, to ensure your whitening needs are efficiently met. You will also receive a custom mouthguard for whitening to encase your teeth and protect your gums while the gel targets those stains.

  5. For a doubled whitening effect, try ClearClub’s Cleaning + Whitening Foam! With a whitening strength of 3% (A gentler variant than our usual 10-30% whitening gel), this fresh mint-flavored whitening foam is ideal for sensitive teeth.

Ready to fight stubborn tooth stains? Eat and drink smart—and try ClearClub’s Whitening Kit or Cleaning + Whitening Foam. These are the best at-home whitening treatments for deep, effective stain removal, even for sensitive teeth.

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