What other way is there to start your day other than a morning cup of joe? If you’re like most Canadians, 75% of us in fact, then you drink coffee on a regular basis. So coffee lovers take note: coffee stains teeth, and the longer you leave it unaddressed the worse the problems become. That’s right! Your beloved morning routine might be the cause of plaque and tartar build-up. But don’t worry, there’s plenty you can do about coffee-stained teeth,
Don’t worry though. Portrait Dental has the tips to help you prevent stained teeth. And if you already find some teeth stains from coffee, we have the treatments and services you’ll need to get back to that perfect Hollywood smile.
Keep reading to get all the details you need about coffee-stained teeth.
Coffee Stains Teeth: Why and What You Can Do
A good rule of thumb to follow is this: if it can stain your clothes, then it can stain your teeth as well. Coffee contains an ingredient called tannin, which is a type of polyphenol that breaks down in water. It’s also found in beverages like wine or tea.
Tannins cause colour compounds to stick to your teeth. And when natural materials stick to your teeth, they leave an undesirable yellow hue behind. It doesn’t take long for a habit of 2 cups a day to cause coffee-stained teeth!
So how can you avoid and treat this discolouration? Keep reading!
How to Get Rid of Coffee Stains on Teeth
It’s not quite time to panic if you’re a coffee lover. There are plenty of options other than quitting that you can take to ensure the health of your teeth. The best thing you can do is to book a regular cleaning appointment at Portrait Dental, which you can do here.
Not only can you maintain white teeth from home, but Portrait Dental also offers a variety of cosmetic dental services like laser teeth whitening and bleaching. Making sure to brush at least twice a day is very important. But when the stains start to pile up, sometimes professional help is the best choice.
You can take a look at the dental cosmetic services we offer here.
Is Coffee Bad for Your Teeth?
The short answer? Yes. The long answer. Yes, but there are always workarounds. The truth is that any substance in excess is likely to cause problems for your health. And when it comes to the things we eat and drink, this is especially true. Coffee is an acidic liquid that we pour sugar and milk into. These ingredients cause a plethora of bad things like bacteria growth that leads to tooth decay and bad breath. So while giving up your favourite drink is certainly the best option to protect your teeth, it’s not the only available option.
We’ll cover the details of how coffee stains your teeth and what you can do to prevent it moving forward. Keep reading!
Coffee Causes Big Problems
Like any other drink that isn’t water, coffee causes bacteria to grow in your mouth. This bacteria growth leads to tooth and enamel erosion, causing your teeth to become thin and brittle.
It also causes bad breath or halitosis. You can best avoid these problems by eating food before drinking coffee and using a tongue scraper and toothbrush after you finish your cup of joe.
Preventing Coffee Stains
For most of us, giving up our favourite morning (and afternoon, let’s be honest) beverage isn’t an option. The best thing you can do to prevent coffee stains is to reduce the amount you drink, but let’s cover some options if that’s not feasible for you.
Avoiding cream and sugar helps as these speed up the growth of bacteria in your mouth. You can also try to drink your coffee in one sitting instead of slowly throughout the day. And lastly, drink a glass of water afterwards to rinse your mouth from any leftover sugars and acids.
If you manage to follow these habits, you’ll reduce the chances that coffee has to stain your pearly whites. Remember, coffee is acidic. That means that you shouldn’t brush your teeth afterwards when your enamel is weakened from the coffee’s acid.
Foods That Help Coffee-Stained Teeth
It turns out that food isn’t all bad for your teeth! There are actually a few items that seem to be good for your teeth’s health. Any foods that are high in fibre also naturally brush your teeth. The following foods are good for healthy teeth and gums:
- Celery, carrots and other crunchy vegetables
- Lemons, strawberries and other fruity fibres
- Dairy products
Another pro tip is to chew sugarless gum! Producing extra saliva in the mouth protects enamel, and sugar-free gum is the perfect way to do that.
Other Foods That Stain Teeth
Did you think that coffee was the only culprit when it comes to teeth stains? Think again. Any foods that have strong colouring or acid content can stain your teeth. The following examples will show you just that!
- red wine
- berries
- tomato
- colas
- black tea
- frozen sugary treats
- hard candy
- sports drinks
When consuming these foods and beverages, take some extra care to brush them afterwards. And don’t eat these foods first thing in the morning, as your teeth are largely unprotected at that time.
Advice for Coffee Drinkers With Stained Teeth
It is possible to drink coffee and maintain a white, healthy smile. There are a few strategies you can employ.
The simple answer is to enjoy coffee in moderation, but if you’re like most professionals living in a capitalistic industrial society, coffee is the elixir of life and cannot be avoided. Yes, dentists recommend no more than two cups a day, but not everyone can manage that. If you’re in that group, then you should absolutely drink coffee with a straw. This will help prevent direct contact between the coffee and your teeth. Another tip is to not drink coffee in the morning before brushing. And remember, don’t brush afterwards as you will further weaken your enamel.
Another good tip is to regularly attend your dental appointments. You can book with us here!
Correct Coffee Stained Teeth at Portrait Dental
Over 75% of Canadians choose coffee as their morning (and daily) routine. It’s the perfect way to wake up or to perk up your work efficiency. It’s a lifesaver for those busy days when you’ve had little sleep. And unfortunately, it’s also terrible for your teeth.
With a little extra at-home care and some professional help from Portrait Dental, you can recover those pearly whites in no time. As bad as coffee is for your teeth, it’s rare that coffee causes irreversible damage. So don’t stress over the wear and tear of daily life. Instead, book your appointment with Portrait Dental and get back on top of your smile journey!