Does Drinking Alcohol Make Your Teeth Yellow?
We found no official source that says alcohol itself yellows teeth. The NHS lists ageing, smoking, and regularly drinking coffee, tea or red wine as causes of staining. Dry mouth from alcohol and worn enamel are other things a dentist can check.
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What the NHS lists
The NHS teeth whitening page says staining or discolouration can come from getting older, smoking, and regularly having drinks that can stain teeth, such as coffee, tea or red wine. Red wine is the only alcoholic drink it names. It does not say that beer, spirits or clear drinks stain teeth.
Other links we found
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research lists alcohol among things that dry the mouth, and says dry mouth raises the risk of tooth decay. We found no official source that says this causes yellowing, so treat any link as our guess, not a finding.
What to do
- See a dentist before whitening. The NHS says a dentist should check your teeth and gums are healthy first.
- Be wary of pharmacy and online kits. The NHS says they are less effective and may harm teeth and gums.
- Whitening is not permanent. The NHS says the effect may last around 3 years with a dentist’s advice.
The NHS says whitening is not recommended for anyone aged 17 or under, anyone pregnant or breastfeeding, or anyone with crowns, dentures or implants.
People also ask
Does red wine stain teeth?
The NHS lists regularly having drinks such as coffee, tea or red wine as a cause of staining.
Does beer or liquor yellow teeth?
We found no official source that says so.
How long does teeth whitening last?
The NHS says the effect may last around 3 years if you follow your dentist's advice.
Sources
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