Having a bright smile can be a big confidence booster, and teeth whitening is one of the most popular ways to refresh your smile. However, it can also be expensive and time-intensive, so it’s natural to want to keep your smile as bright and white as long as you can. If matcha is part of your daily routine, you may be wondering if you can drink it after getting your teeth whitened. You may think that its vibrant green hue puts it on the “no” list; however, thankfully, you can enjoy matcha again! But timing does matter. 

Keep reading to find out whether matcha affects your results and when it’s safe to drink again.

Why you need to be cautious after teeth whitening

When you get your teeth whitened, tiny pores in your tooth enamel are opened. These pores don’t stay open for long, typically 24 to 72 hours, but during that time, your teeth are far more vulnerable to staining, so it’s important to be cautious with the foods and beverages you consume. It’s often recommended to eat an all-white diet for about 48 hours after having your teeth whitened. This means avoiding any deeply colored foods like coffee, red wine, berries, tomato sauce, and yes, matcha.

Read more about how matcha helps oral health here. 

Does matcha stain teeth?

While tea and coffee can both stain teeth, matcha behaves a bit differently. Unlike black tea or coffee, which contain tannins that can cling to enamel and cause discoloration over time, matcha contains fewer tannins. It’s also much less acidic than beverages like coffee or black tea, which can help keep your teeth whiter after treatment. 

However, matcha is still a finely ground powder and contains some tannins and chlorophyll. Over time, matcha may contribute to subtle staining, though much less than, say, coffee or wine. The bright green pigment that gives matcha its color has incredible healthy benefits, but may also temporarily stain if your enamel is at peak vulnerability right after whitening. Once your enamel has re-hardened, matcha can be gentler on your teeth than other caffeinated drinks.

Can you have matcha after teeth whitening?

You should ideally wait at least 24 hours after whitening, and up to 72 hours if you want to be extra cautious, before enjoying matcha again. If you’re getting your teeth professionally whitened, the waiting window may be slightly longer than at-home treatments, depending on what you’ve had done.

If you’re within the first day after treatment, it’s best to follow the recommended “white diet” and avoid all colorful food and drinks. Once your enamel has settled, matcha can be a safer, and potentially even better, choice compared to coffee and black tea.

Find out if you can drink matcha after wisdom teeth removal here. 

Tips for keeping your teeth white:

• Drink a glass of water after enjoying your matcha or simply rinse your mouth with water.

• Make a matcha latte! The proteins in milk bind to the tannins in matcha, preventing them from binding to other substances (like your teeth) and reducing staining. Want to learn how to make an incredible matcha latte? Find all our recipes here. 

• Maintain good dental hygiene. This is a must for keeping your teeth healthy and white!

Bottom line

Yes, you can absolutely drink matcha after getting your teeth whitened! Just give yourself a bit of time – if you can, wait at least 24 hours, if not 72 hours, before drinking or eating anything brightly colored, including matcha. In fact, matcha may be a safer and gentler option for your teeth than other caffeinated options.

Disclaimer: These statements in this blog post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. It's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes.

Resources: 

Hardan L, Bourgi R, Flores-Ledesma A, Devoto W, Devoto E, Fernández-Barrera MÁ, Kharouf N, Cuevas-Suárez CE. Is a White Diet Necessary for Tooth Bleaching Procedures? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Dent J (Basel). 2024 Apr 22;12(4):118. doi: 10.3390/dj12040118. PMID: 38668030; PMCID: PMC11049513.

Odabas T, Hajiyev R, Gultekin A, Atakoglu OO, Harorli OT. Can We Prevent Coffee Stains on Teeth? J Med Food. 2021 Dec;24(12):1331-1339. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2020.0205. Epub 2021 Jun 22. PMID: 34160286.

Abood RS, Al-Taweel FBH, Akram HM, Abdulbaqi HR. Does Daily Intake of Matcha Tea Enhance The Periodontal Health of Patients With Localised Gingivitis: A Control Study. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2025 Sep 11;23:535-541. doi: 10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2268. PMID: 40932098; PMCID: PMC12427095.

Carey CM. Tooth whitening: what we now know. J Evid Based Dent Pract. 2014 Jun;14 Suppl:70-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jebdp.2014.02.006. Epub 2014 Feb 13. PMID: 24929591; PMCID: PMC4058574.