Dr Onkar Mudhar, a London-based dentist, has shared his ‘cheap and easy’ trick to keep his teeth white, despite drinking two to three black coffees a day
Many daily habits can lead to the dreaded tooth staining, from smoking cigarettes to drinking red wine. Coffee is also a notorious culprit and one that many find hard to forgo, especially as a morning ritual.
Despite the risk of discolouration, there’s good news for those not willing to give up their caffeine fix for a brighter smile. A London-based dentist has come forward with an “easy and cheap” solution to maintain pearly whites while indulging in black coffee every day.
Dr Onkar Mudhar, who enjoys two to three cups of black coffee daily, often gets asked how he manages to “keep his teeth so white” despite his frequent consumption of the beverage. Coffee’s reputation for staining teeth comes from its tannin content – polyphenols that dissolve in water and allow colour compounds to cling to your teeth, potentially leaving them yellowed.
In a recent TikTok video, Dr Onkar shared his simple secret: “Easiest and cheapest way that I will say I keep my teeth white. I don’t use a straw when I drink hot drinks, I think that’s weird. I rinse out after with water. It really is the most tried and tested simple method.”
He advised taking a “sip of water in your mouth” and “swishing it around your teeth”. If you then choose to expel the water into a white basin, you’re likely to notice the liquid appears discoloured, he explained, saying: “That’s because the tannins stick to your teeth. That last bit of tannins is what sticks to your teeth, especially in the gaps in-between.”
Dr Onkar also attributed the notable contrast of his brilliant smile to his “darker skin tone” and dense beard.
However, he pointed out other methods to keep your pearly whites, well, pearly – regular appointments for treatments with your dentist or hygienist are a must. He added: “Or airflow [tooth polishing], or professional teeth whitening, or using tooth whitening toothpaste that are designed by dentists, and there’s only one on the market and it’s the Enlighten Serum. The Duo pack especially. That is a great product.”
