Dr. Miles Madison, a Beverly Hills-based dentist, has conducted an eye-opening experiment to determine which of four popular beverages causes the most tooth staining. The results, shared on his TikTok account under the handle ‘the gumfather,’ left him and viewers shocked by the dramatic effects of certain drinks.
For 10 days, Dr. Madison soaked four extracted teeth in coffee, tea, Coke, and red wine to observe the level of staining. What he discovered was startling: red wine caused the most extensive staining. Lifting the soaked tooth, Dr. Madison revealed that the wine had stained the entire tooth, including both the enamel and the root, turning it almost completely purple. “Red wine definitely causes the most amount of staining,” he remarked, clearly surprised by the result.
Coca-Cola also left a significant mark, not only darkening the tooth but also creating small “pits” due to the drink’s acidity. Dr. Madison explained that the acid in Coke erodes the enamel, which leads to structural damage on the tooth. “Coke not only stained the tooth really dark but it caused these little pits because the acid kind of ate away at the enamel,” he said.
When it came to coffee, Dr. Madison noted that the crown of the tooth turned yellow while the root developed a deep brown color. He observed that the root, which lacks as much mineral content as the enamel, is more prone to staining. While coffee caused noticeable discoloration, it was not as severe as red wine or Coke.
Tea, on the other hand, had the least staining effect of the four drinks, though it still caused some discoloration. The root of the tooth became brownish, but the impact was less intense than with coffee. “It did stain as well but not as badly as coffee,” Dr. Madison explained.
The results left many social media users shocked, with several commenting that these drinks are their personal favorites. One user joked, “Oh hell no, but these are my favourite beverages.” Another suggested, “Guess I’m ordering water next time.”
Though the experiment was done by soaking teeth in the liquids for an extended period—far longer than most people would typically expose their teeth to these drinks—it’s still a reminder of how coffee, tea, wine, and soda contribute to tooth staining. Dr. Madison acknowledged the experiment didn’t replicate real-life conditions, but he stressed that habits like drinking acidic beverages and smoking are well-known contributors to tooth discoloration.
While tooth staining is generally a cosmetic issue, persistent yellowing can signal improper brushing, especially after consuming acidic food or drink. Dentists recommend waiting before brushing teeth after consuming such items, as acids temporarily weaken enamel, making it more susceptible to revealing the yellow dentin underneath.
Dr. Madison also pointed out that certain medications, like tetracycline, can cause teeth to change color, with brown or grey discoloration occurring as a result of an interaction with saliva. However, any grey discoloration in teeth could indicate nerve damage, which should be addressed by a dentist promptly.
In response to fan suggestions, Dr. Madison said he would consider repeating the experiment with other drinks, such as beer, in the future.
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