Clinic Hour
Mon & Tues
Wed & Thur
Friday
alt Saturday
8 am - 5 pm
8 am - 6 pm
8 am - 2 pm
8 am - 2 pm
July 15, 2025
Pondfield Family Dental
Sip Carefully, Smile Brightly: The Summer Drinks That Could Be Ruining Bronxville’s Teeth
From cold brew to cabernet—here’s what your favorite summer drinks are doing to your enamel and how to fight back.
Table of Contents:
Here in Bronxville, summer is all about iced coffee runs, backyard BBQs, weekend wine nights, and refreshing teas. But while these warm-weather favorites keep us cool, they’re not doing your teeth any favors. As a local dentist at Pondfield Family Dental Care, I’ve seen firsthand how even the healthiest smiles can start to dull over just one summer.
Let’s break down the hidden ways your drinks might be staining your teeth—and how to keep your smile glowing all season long.
Why Summer Drinks Are Secretly Staining Bronxville Smiles
Heat waves roll in, and suddenly everyone’s sipping something iced. I get it—I’m an iced coffee fan myself. But what many of our patients don’t realize is that drinks like coffee, wine, tea, and even lemon water are quietly working against your white smile.
Your enamel (the outer layer of your teeth) is slightly porous. It absorbs the pigments, acids, and tannins in your favorite drinks. Over time, that leads to discoloration, erosion, and even sensitivity.
One of my longtime patients from Eastchester was shocked to see her before-and-after photos after whitening. She had no idea how much her wine habit had yellowed her teeth until we did a quick stain assessment.
Iced Coffee: Your Favorite Habit, Your Teeth’s Worst Enemy
Iced coffee is practically a personality trait in Bronxville—especially for commuters and remote workers posting up at Slave to the Grind or grabbing cold brew from Starbucks. But unfortunately, it ’s one of the worst offenders when it comes to staining.
Here’s why:
It’s acidic
It’s dark in color (chromogens + tannins)
It’s often sipped slowly, giving it more time to soak in
If you drink iced coffee every morning and skip water or brushing right after, stains build up fast.
Learn more about our teeth cleaning options
Red & White Wine: Yes, Both Can Stain
Red wine gets the bad rap—and rightly so. Its rich color comes from anthocyanins, which love to cling to enamel. But did you know white wine might be even sneakier?
White wine is highly acidic, which means it softens enamel and makes your teeth more susceptible to stains from other foods or drinks. One Bronxville couple told me they were switching to white wine to avoid red stains. While it’s a good idea short-term, it’s not a long-term fix. Acid erosion is just as big a threat to your smile.
Other Summer Culprits: Iced Tea, Sports Drinks & Lemon Water
Iced Tea: Packed with tannins, which stain similarly to red wine.
Sports Drinks: Usually brightly colored and acidic, especially popular with kids.
Lemon Water: Sounds healthy, but the acidity can strip enamel fast—especially when sipped all day long.
Even your favorite flavored seltzers might be adding to the problem, especially if they’re citrus-based or dyed.
Why Stains Hit Harder as We Age (Especially After 40)
If you feel like your smile has gotten duller over the years, you’re not imagining it. Here’s why:
Thinner enamel means more of the yellowish dentin underneath shows through.
Saliva production slows, reducing your mouth’s natural defense.
More dental work (like fillings or crowns) stains differently than natural enamel.
The good news? You have options—and they don’t all involve giving up your favorite drinks.
How to Minimize Staining Without Giving Up Your Favorites
We’re not here to tell you to ditch coffee or wine forever (I haven’t!). But here are some smarter ways to protect your smile:
Drink through a straw (yes, even for iced coffee!)
Rinse with water immediately after sipping
Avoid brushing for 30 minutes after acidic drinks
Stick to your biannual cleanings—we can polish away surface stains
Schedule your next cleaning now
In-Office Whitening vs. Over-the-Counter: What Works Best?
If your teeth already feel a little too coffee-stained or wine-dimmed, don’t worry—there are solutions.
Over-the-counter whitening strips can work for mild stains, but they often miss spots and take weeks to show subtle results. On the other hand, our in-office whitening treatments get your teeth several shades whiter in a single visit—without the guesswork.
A recent patient of ours saw results in under an hour, and she couldn’t stop smiling on her way out the door. And yes—she still drinks iced coffee (but with a straw now).
Check out our whitening services
When Whitening Isn’t Enough: Veneers & Bonding Options
For deeper or intrinsic stains—like those caused by medications or aging—whitening may not work as well.
That’s when we turn to cosmetic solutions like:
Porcelain veneers: Thin shells that completely cover discolored teeth
Composite bonding: Ideal for spot treatment or restoring minor chips and stains
These options not only improve color but shape and overall aesthetics.
Learn more about cosmetic enhancements
FAQs
Does iced coffee stain teeth more than hot coffee?
Yes, because it’s often consumed slowly and in larger volumes, giving the pigments more time to settle on your teeth.
Can white wine really damage my teeth?
Absolutely. It doesn’t stain directly like red wine, but its acidity softens enamel, making your teeth more vulnerable to staining from other foods.
What’s the fastest way to whiten stained teeth?
In-office whitening treatments can lift several shades in just one visit, much faster and more effectively than at-home kits.
Are veneers better than whitening for deep stains?
Yes, for severe or internal stains, veneers offer a permanent, aesthetic solution that whitening treatments can’t match.
How We Help at Pondfield Family Dental Care
Our Bronxville team is here to help you maintain your best smile—even if you’re sipping iced coffee on the way in. We offer:
Personalized stain assessments
Professional whitening plans
Veneers and bonding consults
Preventive cleanings with stain removal
Most importantly, we explain everything in simple terms—and we never judge your coffee habits.