Many coffee drinkers worry that their beloved daily caffeine ritual could be staining or yellowing their teeth. Coffee is notorious for its ability to discolor teeth due to its dark color and acidic nature. However, there are ways you can continue to enjoy your coffee while maintaining a bright, white smile. Here we’ll explore some quick tips on how to drink coffee without sacrificing the color of your teeth.
Does Coffee Really Stain Teeth?
Yes, coffee can absolutely stain and discolor your teeth over time, especially if you are a heavy coffee drinker. Coffee contains chromogens – pigments or colored compounds – that attach to the enamel of your teeth causing stubborn stains. The acids in coffee can also erode the enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to staining.
Some key factors that determine how much coffee could stain your teeth include:
- How much coffee you drink – More frequent coffee drinking means more exposure of your teeth to staining compounds.
- Method of drinking – Drinking coffee hot allows the chromogens to penetrate deeper versus iced coffee.
- Darker roasts – Dark roasts are roasted longer, producing more staining compounds.
- Adding cream or milk – Can coat the teeth and reduce staining.
- Natural enamel thickness – Thinner enamel stains more easily.
So in short – yes, coffee can significantly stain your pearly whites, especially if you drink multiple cups per day. But there are preventative measures you can take.
Tips to Prevent Coffee Stains
Here are some tips to help you enjoy your coffee while keeping stains at bay:
1. Drink Coffee Through a Straw
Sipping your coffee through a straw prevents the coffee from contacting your front teeth. The straw minimizes staining on the enamel surfaces. Use a stainless steel or glass straw if possible.
2. Rinse Your Mouth After Drinking Coffee
Swishing water, milk, or green tea around your mouth rinses away residual coffee and prevents prolonged contact with teeth. For an extra stain-fighting boost, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash.
3. Brush and Floss After Coffee
Gently brushing and flossing your teeth after drinking coffee will remove surface stains before they set deeper into the enamel. But be gentle, as aggressive brushing after acidic coffee could damage enamel.
4. Drink Coffee With Milk or Cream
The caseins in milk products create a protective film on your teeth that prevents staining. Adding milk, cream, or non-dairy creamers to your coffee cuts down on its teeth-staining potential.
5. Avoid Darker Roasts
Opt for medium roasts or lighter roasted coffees like cinnamon and cocoa roasts. Dark French roast, espresso roast, and Italian roasts have the highest concentration of stain-causing oils.
6. Limit Coffee Drinking to Mealtimes
Drink your coffee alongside breakfast or lunch rather than sporadically throughout the day. Eating while drinking coffee helps neutralize the acidity and clear away pigments.
7. Drink Plenty of Water
Stay well hydrated by drinking water throughout the day to prevent a dry mouth, which allows more staining. Drinking water also neutralizes and rinses away acids.
8. Use Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Look for toothpastes containing gentle polishing ingredients like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or silica. These help scrub away surface stains from coffee and foods without abrasion.
9. Get Regular Cleanings at the Dentist
Professional teeth cleanings every 6 months are important for removing intrinsic stains and built-up tartar and plaque. Your hygienist can use polishing tools to restore brightness.
10. Avoid Other Stain-Causing Foods and Drinks
Coffee isn’t the only culprit when it comes to tooth stains. Minimize tea, wine, soda, berries, tomato sauce and other staining foods.
Natural Teeth Whitening Remedies
In addition to the prevention tips above, you can try some natural home remedies to help whiten stained teeth from coffee drinking:
1. Baking Soda and Lemon
Make a paste by mixing 1 tablespoon baking soda with 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Spread on teeth then rinse after 1 minute. The citric acid removes stains and baking soda polishes. Use sparingly to avoid damaging enamel.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
Mix 1 tablespoon 3% hydrogen peroxide with 1 cup water and use as a daily 30 second mouth rinse. Hydrogen peroxide gently whitens and foams away surface stains.
3. Oil Pulling
Swish a tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil around teeth for 10-20 minutes then spit out. Oil helps pulls stains from enamel.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Stir 2 teaspoons into 6 ounces of water and gargle for 1 minute daily. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar removes coffee discoloration and kills bacteria. Always dilute to avoid damaging enamel.
5. Strawberries
Mash 2-3 strawberries into a paste and apply with a toothbrush for 2 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes more before rinsing. Strawberries contain a natural astringent called malic acid that removes discoloration.
6. Activated Charcoal
Mix activated charcoal powder with water to form a paste. Brush onto teeth for 2 minutes then rinse thoroughly. Charcoal absorbs surface stain particles but is abrasive with frequent use.
Professional Teeth Whitening Options
For significant stain removal and whitening, visit your dentist for professional teeth whitening options. Popular in-office procedures include:
In-Office Laser Whitening
A dentist applies a high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gel to your teeth and uses a laser light to accelerate bleaching. You can see dramatic results in one 30-60 minute session.
Custom-Fit Whitening Trays
Your dentist makes personalized trays that fit your teeth and provides a hydrogen peroxide gel to place in the trays at home. Wear for 1-2 hours per day. Gradual whitening over 2-4 weeks.
Teeth Whitening Strips
Whitening strips coated with peroxide are applied to teeth for 30 minutes twice per day. Convenient and fast acting but can cause gum irritation. Must be used diligently for best results.
Always consult your dentist before any whitening treatments. Professional procedures are the safest and most effective ways to significantly brighten stained coffee teeth.
Lifestyle Changes For White Teeth
In addition to teeth whitening strategies, make these healthy lifestyle adjustments to support whiter teeth:
- Quit smoking – Smoking causes deep intrinsic stains.
- Cut back on stain-causing foods – Soy sauce, berries, tea, soda, red wine, etc.
- See your dentist regularly – For cleanings and to identify issues early.
- Brush and floss twice daily – Use proper technique to clean thoroughly.
- Drink more plain water – Hydrates your mouth and rinses away acids.
- Chew sugar-free gum – Increases saliva flow to clear away stains.
Making teeth-friendly choices in your diet, habits, and dental care regime enhances whitening efforts.
Conclusion
Coffee is a beloved beverage for many, but it often comes with the tradeoff of stained teeth. However, with knowledge of the causes of coffee teeth discoloration and using preventative tips, you can continue enjoying your coffee while maintaining your bright smile. Be diligent with at-home whitening remedies and professional treatments to overcome stubborn coffee stains. And make healthy lifestyle choices that support your oral health. Stay committed to your teeth whitening regimen to enjoy coffee without remorse.