Sacramento, CA - October 26, 2017 - (Newswire.com) Caffeine is a common ingredient in many popular drinks known to stain the teeth: coffee, tea and cola are all examples. So is caffeine contributing to the staining? Will drinking decaffeinated beverages prevent or lessen staining? What Color is Caffeine?When caffeine is isolated from its vegetable sources, it is a white, odorless powder. Caffeine dissolves in fluids and lends little coloration to the liquid, as seen in soft drinks that are clear, but still contain caffeine. What’s more, caffeine is not a chromogen — a molecule that dyes or stains other substances. Therefore, it is not responsible for stained teeth. Asking for decaf will not keep your teeth from going yellow! Instead, dental patients need to consider just what is causing the stains on their enamel.Chromogens and Tannins Do Cause StainsThe primary staining agents in coffee are the aforementioned chromogens. These molecules alter the color of things they contact. And while tooth enamel seems smooth, at the microscopic level it contains pits, craters, and tiny cracks that trap chromogens. Colas contain the same pigments, either from added coloration or simply the natural pigments of any included plant ingredients. As more chromogens are trapped in the teeth, the enamel becomes darker.Teas feature a different staining pigment called tannin. In its natural state, tannin is part of a plant’s defenses against insects and other herbivores. It tastes somewhat bitter and is unpleasant to many animals. For humans, it contributes to tea’s flavor, colour and its power to stain teeth, much like chromogens.There are many arguments about the medical benefits and disadvantages of consuming caffeine. The addiction to this stimulant does motivate people to drink the things that contain it, and those beverages generally do stain the teeth. So do wine, berries, and many other foods and drinks that contain dark pigments, but not caffeine.The good news is that professional tooth whitening at a dental office easily removes these stains and returns tooth enamel to its original color.  For more information about tooth whitening, contact the Dr. Joe Miskin's dental office at 905-686-4343 or via the website at drjoemiskin@com