For many people, coffee is an essential part of the morning routine. Although it has the tendency to stain teeth, giving it up completely isn’t always feasible. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the impact of coffee on your dental health. Here are some stain prevention and teeth whitening tips to keep the shine in your smile while still getting that morning boost.

A Coffee Drinker’s Guide to Stain-Free Teeth

1. Drink It Fast

The longer you allow coffee to linger in your mouth, the worse the staining will be. While some enjoy savoring their coffee over the morning news, you should try to drink it as quickly as possible. After you finish, swish some water in your mouth, spit it out, and take a few extra sips of water to rinse away the remnants.

2. Use a Straw

Drinking hot coffee with a straw may seem strange, but it can help prevent some staining. When you sip through a straw, most of the liquid will bypass the surface of your teeth completely. Picking up this habit will reduce your enamel’s exposure to coffee and minimize staining.

3. Brush Your Teeth Mindfully

Dark pigments in coffee stain your teeth by settling into the ridges of your enamel. Brushing your teeth after drinking coffee can remove these particles along with the bacteria and plaque that cause tooth decay and discoloration. 

However, the acidity of coffee weakens your enamel temporarily, leaving it susceptible to damage. For this reason, it's best to brush your teeth before drinking coffee or wait at least 30 minutes before you brush.

4. Brush With Whitening Toothpaste

To get rid of superficial stains, try using teeth whitening toothpaste. These products are formulated to eliminate surface-level discoloration. 

Some contain chemicals that break down stains and special abrasives to gently polish teeth, while others use a chemical called blue covarine, which sticks to teeth and produces a white hue. As long as you brush with a whitening toothpaste twice a day, you can expect to see results within six weeks.

5. Get Professional Teeth Whitening

If your coffee stains seem to seep beyond the surface, special toothpaste won’t be enough. In this case, ask your dentist about professional teeth whitening. 

During your consultation, they'll recommend a teeth whitening system tailored to your needs and lifestyle. These custom treatments will help restore the natural color of your teeth or leave them even brighter.

For effective solutions to teeth stains and discoloration, turn to William U. Britton, DDS, MAGD. Located in Jackson and Chillicothe, OH, this state-of-the-art facility offers teeth whitening with every dental hygiene checkup, so you can keep your smile bright all year long. With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Britton and his team are committed to ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of every patient. Learn more about the teeth whitening process online, and call (740) 772-2225 to make an appointment.