Is a hot cup of java the first thing on your to-do list every morning? If so, you probably start your days out strong, ready for whatever may fall upon you. With the seducing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, life seems more bearable. But as all magic comes with a price, so does your favorite caffeinated drink.
Thus, you may have noticed your teeth turning yellowish over the years due to the countless cups of joe you’ve had. But don’t let the panic kick in just yet. Instead, get ready to learn how to drink coffee without staining your teeth.
Does Coffee Stain Teeth Immediately?
Are you a total caffeineaholic, or do you only take a sip or two of your favorite coffee drink every once in a while? In the case of the latter, you’re pretty much safe. The truth is, coffee doesn’t stain your teeth as easily and as quickly as you’d think. Lucky for all the occasional coffee enjoyers, such a change in your teeth hue doesn’t happen overnight.
To be able to notice your teeth turning yellow that fast, you’d have to drink 5‒6 cups of coffee a day. Still, even if the staining doesn’t happen immediately, it seems inevitable. Fortunately, there are a couple of things you can do to avoid the hue of your teeth turning significantly darker.
Should You Brush Your Teeth After Coffee?
If you want to decrease the chances of staining your teeth with coffee, you need to practice good oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing a couple of times a day will protect your teeth from accumulating harmful and unwanted substances. As a result, they’ll be much less susceptible to decay and will appear healthier even on the outside.
Similarly, brushing your teeth half an hour after coffee will help them preserve their natural shade longer. This way, you’ll be removing any coffee residues immediately, without letting them attach to the surface of your teeth. You can also try rinsing your teeth before sipping your favorite caffeinated beverage. Doing this will keep the surface of your teeth smoother, making it much harder for the coffee stains to stick to them.
How to Drink Coffee Without Staining Your Teeth: 4 Ways
• Use a straw. Drinking your coffee through a straw will minimize the stains this liquid leaves on your teeth. The reason is that less of this beverage will get in contact with your teeth’s surface. Therefore, you can start by getting more used to creamy iced coffee drinks that always get served with a straw.
• Add some cream to your coffee. While you may not be a huge fan of coffee foam, adding more milk to this beverage will prove beneficial. As it goes, this dairy product is rich in compounds that can protect your tooth enamel from harmful substances.
• Use whitening toothpaste. Some kinds of toothpaste contain a chemical called blue covarine, which sticks to the surface of your teeth. As a result, your teeth appear less stained and yellow. Also, such whitening toothpaste options are excellent for removing surface stains from your teeth. They work wonders for both smoking and coffee-caused discolorings.
• Schedule a teeth bleaching appointment. Your final solution might be to contact your dentist for a treatment that will bring you back your pearly white teeth — even if you’ve never before had them.
