Anything that can stain your clothes can stain your teeth and a cup of coffee is no exception!
We all love kick-starting our day with a cup of joe. Your morning coffee may boost your energy, but it can also negatively affect your dental health. Coffee contains tannins that cause color compounds to stick to your teeth. Once they stick to your teeth, they leave a yellow hue behind. All it takes is a cup of coffee to get your teeth stained. Other beverages like tea and wine also contain tannins which cause teeth staining overtime.
So how do you avoid tooth discoloration without giving up your favorite drink? Getting rid of the coffee stains is more comfortable with the right procedures. All you need to do is to make sure you pay a visit to a dentist in Newport Beach near you. Apart from this, you can apply several home remedies; for example, cleaning your teeth twice a month with a mixture of baking soda and water can remove coffee stains easily.
Another option to brighten up your teeth is to use whitening strips or whitening toothpaste regularly. It may include Crest 3D Whitening and Arm & Hammer AdvanceWhite. Just make sure you use products that are approved by the American Dental Association. Swapping your manual toothbrush with an electric toothbrush can also help you whiten your teeth a little further. In this case, make sure you brush your teeth at least two times for a minimum of two minutes.
Pitfalls of coffee
Coffee can cause bacterial growth in your mouth, just like any other drink that is not water. As a result, your teeth are prone to enamel erosion and can lead to tooth decay. In severe circumstances, your teeth will weaken and become brittle.
Since coffee sticks to the tongue quite quickly, it can cause bad breath. Once you finish your cup of coffee, take time to clean your mouth using a tongue scraper.
How to prevent coffee stains
If giving up your favorite drinks doesn’t sound like an option, at least convince yourself to cut back on it so you drink less of it. For example, have a cup of coffee in the morning, and then drink a cup of green tea later during the day as an alternative. Green tea can help you have healthier oral health.
Avoid sugar and creamer as they both can only speed up bacterial growth in your mouth. Finish your coffee in just a single sitting instead of having sips all around the day that can buildup bacteria further. Once you finish a cup of coffee, rinse your mouth with a glass of water. Use a straw for drinking iced coffee, and it can reduce the risk of stains. Certain foods like vegetables and raw fruits like lemons and strawberries can help remedy stains. These items contain natural fiber, and they can clean teeth by breaking down the bacteria.
Not a coffee lover
Of course, coffee is not only the tooth-staining culprit. To help yourself have a stronger smile, pay attention to the drinks and foods that leave behind a yellowish hue. They may include:
- red wine
- popsicles
- hard candy
- tomato and tomato sauces
- colas
- black tea
- sports drinks
- berries (blueberries, blackberries, cherries)
Now here’s the good news for all the coffee lovers
If you are not yet ready to cut down on coffee, then you can still drink plenty of coffee and still maintain a healthy white smile. Follow these tips to ensure you have a healthy smile.
Floss daily
If you floss daily, it will help you remove plaque where the toothbrush can not reach. Daily flossing can prevent gingivitis and tooth decay. When left untreated, it can cause periodontal disease, which leads to complete tooth loss and bone destruction.
See your dentist twice a year
Whether you are based in Newport Beach or anywhere else, have a routine cleaning every six months. It will help you maintain a beautiful smile and good oral health. You can develop periodontal disease when your dental procedures are irregular. It can cause bleeding, receding, and unsightly swollen gums.
Give up smoking
If you cannot cut back on coffee, try to give up smoking. Smoking can cause more stains on your teeth than coffee. Stains from smoke can soak deep into the enamel.
Pro-tip: According to a dentist in Newport Beach, it is best to drink coffee using a straw. It can prevent your teeth from unwanted stains as it keeps coffee from touching your teeth.