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Dental hygiene tips for healthy teeth & gums

How To Keep Your Teeth White When You Love Coffee

A morning coffee not only sets you up for a good day, but it’s also a habit that makes you feel good. So, if you also want to keep your smile bright, you may be thinking about how to balance your need for caffeine with your desire to whiten your teeth.

You don’t have to worry because there are ways to drink coffee without staining your teeth. While you enjoy your favorite drink, let’s talk about some tips given by Lucas Family Dentist that can help you keep your teeth white.

Coffee-Staining Culprit

Before we talk about how to get rid of the spots that coffee gives us, let’s talk about why it does that. Tannins are the chemical that is causing this trouble. These organic substances can be found in drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine.

The buildup of tannins on teeth causes spots. As tooth enamel is porous, these stains can get into tiny holes and cause permanent discoloration. Hence, professional whitening is needed to discolor your teeth.

Quick and Easy Tips for Whiter Teeth

  • Sip your coffee quickly
    When coffee sits on your teeth for a long time, it is more likely to stain them. Break up your coffee into smaller sips more often instead of drinking it slowly all morning. This cuts down on the time that coffee is on your teeth.
  • Brush after every coffee
    Make sure to rinse your mouth out with water after you’re done with your coffee. Move it around slowly to get rid of any coffee grounds or tannins that might still be in your mouth. To get the coffee out of your mouth, brush your teeth right away. An electric toothbrush can help remove tannins from your teeth before they can get stuck and stain your enamel.
  • Use a whitening toothpaste
    You should use whitening toothpaste as part of your normal routine to keep your teeth clean. The toothpaste in this group has low abrasives that are meant to remove surface spots gently. You should look for toothpaste that has ingredients like baking soda or hydrogen peroxide that whiten teeth.
  • Try whitening strips
    You can buy whitening strips, which work well and are easy to use. They gradually get rid of spots and make your teeth shine, which is a good thing. If you want the best results, make sure you follow the steps exactly and use them every time.
  • Rinse with mouthwash
    Most whitening mouthwashes contain other chemicals that whiten teeth in addition to hydrogen peroxide. After drinking coffee or anything else that leaves a stain, use these to rinse your mouth. Also, they help keep your teeth whiter longer and make your breath smell better.
  • Use an LED toothbrush
    Use a toothbrush with an LED light to whiten your teeth. When you use an LED toothbrush, it gives off blue light that helps the chemicals in toothpaste whiten your teeth. When you brush with an LED toothbrush, you get rid of spots better.
  • Change drinking habits
    You might want to consider changing your drinking habits as part of your tooth care routine. To drink your coffee, get a non-plastic straw. Drink through the straw so that the dark liquid doesn’t touch your front teeth. With this one simple change, spots can be reduced significantly.

Other Things You Should Think About

  • Clean teeth and gums: Floss and brush your teeth every day. Good oral hygiene can keep teeth healthy and avoid major discoloration.
  • Limit acidic beverages: Acidic drinks like cola are not allowed. They can also wear away enamel, making teeth more likely to get stained.
  • Professional Whitening: If you want to whiten your teeth, you might want to consider getting professional help.

To keep your smile bright and beautiful, you don’t have to give up your favorite drink, coffee! Following these simple rules and being aware of how much coffee you drink will allow you to enjoy your drink without feeling bad.

Now go ahead and enjoy your coffee, and remember always to keep your teeth in great shape! Lucas Family Dentist says that a smile that makes you feel good about yourself is the best ornament you can wear.