Coffee is the most popular beverage consumed in the world. More than 400 billion cups of coffee are sipped every year. In the United States, we drink about 450 million cups of coffee every day. About half the population of adults in this country are coffee drinkers.
And while we know many of our patients need that cup of Joe to kickstart their day, we also know we spend a lot of time with our cosmetic dentistry patients trying to erase stains from things like coffee, wine, and tobacco. It’s important to understand how creature comforts, including the almighty “go juice,” can negatively impact the appearance and health of your teeth. In this post, we’ll share four of our top tips for avoiding stains you might experience if you’re a regular coffee drinker.
Drink Your Coffee with a Straw
Coffee stains your teeth by coming into prolonged contact with them. To avoid coffee splashing all over the visible surfaces of your teeth and sitting in your mouth for an extended amount of time, consider drinking your morning beverage through a straw. You can use this tip for all kinds of sugary or dark colored drinks. Try to use a re-usable straw to cut down on unnecessary plastic waste.
Rinse Your Mouth Out with Water
Coffee is a very acidic drink, so you want to get it off your teeth as soon as you’ve finished your last cup in the morning (or afternoon). One of the best ways to do this is to take a big drink of water and swish it around in your mouth. If you can’t rinse your mouth, it’s also fine to just drink a big of water.
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Throughout the Day
A good tip in general is to make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Doing so is good for your physical and oral health. Fibrous raw fruits and vegetables such as celery, carrot sticks, and apples can help protect and clean the surfaces of your teeth if you munch on them throughout the day.
Get Your Teeth Professionally Whitened
Whether you’re just starting to notice some discoloration, or you’ve weathered years of staining, a good cosmetic dentist can help whiten your teeth many shades brighter using professional teeth whitening products. These are very different from the teeth whitening kits you buy from the grocery store. Professional teeth whitening brands such as Opalescence even offer in-office and take home kits.
Thanks for Reading!
As with all things, enjoy your coffee with moderation and use these tips to reduce staining while you do. If you enjoy our blog, please like our Facebook page to see our newest posts.