Coffee addiction can be one of the most debilitating addictions an average person suffers from. As a coffee addict, one of the prime questions you probably ask yourself is, “Does coffee stain your teeth?”
You’ve probably heard more than you want to hear about tough coffee stains on teeth that never go away. But it cannot be denied that coffee is a great pick-me-up and provides the much-required boost people need to get through their work day.
When avoiding coffee is simply not an option, it would behoove us to know the answer to the question, “Does coffee stain your teeth?”
Let’s find out!
Does Coffee Stain Your Teeth?
The bad news is, yes, coffee does stain your teeth. In fact, it only takes one cup of coffee to create visible stains on your teeth.
Tannin, a polyphenol compound, is an ingredient found in coffee. Tannins are the primary reason why your teeth get stained when you drink coffee. The tiny pores in your tooth enamel allow small substances – like tannins – to get stuck on the surface of the teeth. Being brown, tannins end up giving your white teeth a yellowish hue.
The great news is that there are simple tips that you can use to prevent your teeth from getting stained by coffee and easy treatments to get rid of the stains left behind by coffee.
6 Easy Ways to Avoid Stained Teeth from Coffee
If you are a coffee addict who wonders, “Does coffee stain your teeth?” then that’s completely normal. More than half the people worldwide begin their day with a beautiful cup of hot coffee made according to their taste and liking.
The caffeine in coffee is the main reason why you cannot stop drinking it. Lucky for you, we have made a list of six easy ways that you can adopt which will help avoid your teeth from getting stained with coffee.
Brush Your Teeth After Drinking Coffee
Brushing your teeth after drinking coffee and flossing them can help reduce the stains that coffee leaves on your teeth. It’s advisable to wait 30 minutes after drinking coffee as the highly acidic nature of coffee weakens the tooth enamel and makes it susceptible to damage.
Go Easy, Drink with a Straw
Using a straw to drink your daily dose of morning fuel is one of the easiest ways to avoid coffee stains on your teeth. The straw helps limit the quantity of staining liquid that comes in contact with your teeth.
While it may not prevent complete damage, it will definitely lessen the impact of coffee on your tooth enamel in the long run.
Rinse Your Mouth
It can’t always be possible to brush your teeth right after having a cup of coffee, especially if you are at work or a social event. In such an event, you can simply rinse your teeth instead of brushing them to remove the staining particles.
Drink Water
It is essential to note that our saliva plays an integral role in keeping our teeth safe and protecting the tooth enamel. Yes, coffee does not directly damage tooth enamel, but it does significantly reduce saliva production.
Drinking water can not only help in washing away coffee stains but also help in keeping our mouth and body hydrated and ensure optimum saliva production.
Go for Regular Dental Cleaning
Visiting your dentist twice every year for regular teeth cleaning and maintenance can go a long way in maintaining the sparkle and health of your pearly whites.
Getting your teeth professionally cleaned can help remove plaque buildup and allow your dentist to remove any stains that appear from consuming highly acidic drinks such as coffee.
Avoid Adding Cream to Your Coffee
One of the first things that people ask is whether adding cream or milk to your coffee helps in reducing the stains.
The answer is a big NO.
The idea that lightening your coffee’s color will lighten your teeth’ stains is simply ludicrous. Adding milk and cream will increase the sugar content in your beverage, which will increase the amount of plaque on your teeth and lead to tooth damage.
Simple Tips to Get Rid of Coffee Stains from Your Teeth
Yellowed and stained teeth can look unattractive, and foregoing a favorite cup of your lovely coffee is not worth considering, either. If you have received a resounding yes in the form of stained teeth to the question, “Does coffee stain your teeth?” here are a few simple tips that can help you get rid of these stains.
- Switch your toothbrush from a manual to an electric one. The cleaning power of an electric toothbrush keeps your gums and teeth healthy, along with removing most unwanted stains.
- Make a homemade paste consisting of two drops of hydrogen peroxide with a small amount of baking soda to make a runny paste. Use this paste twice daily to brush your teeth to remove coffee stains.
- Drink fewer cups of coffee throughout the day to eliminate coffee stains.
- Coconut oil is a great home remedy to dull the effect of coffee stains. Coconut oil acts as an anti-bacterial agent that can help whiten teeth.
- Try your best to complete your coffee intake in one sitting rather than sipping on it throughout the day.
Visit Norwood Dental & Smile Brighter!
Worried that your favorite coffee is going to end up staining your teeth? An easy solution to this is proper preventative care that can help in maintaining your pearly whites with routine exams and cleanings.
Although coffee can leave some long-lasting stains on your teeth, prevention is always better than looking for a cure. Learning the right ways to floss, brush your teeth, and keep your oral cavity free from harmful bacteria can go a long way in preventing stubborn stains from staying on the surface of your teeth.