It’s recommended to wait at least 24 hours after teeth whitening before drinking coffee. The reason for this is because coffee can potentially stain your teeth and jeopardies the effects of the whitening treatment.
It’s also a good idea to avoid other foods and beverages that are known to stain teeth; this includes red wine, tea, and berries, for at least 24 hours after your whitening treatment.
However, no one is going to stop you if you do decide to have a cheeky cuppa! So, if temptation does get the better of you, it would be a good idea to use a straw to minimize contact between the coffee and your teeth.
You should also brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water after drinking coffee to help remove any residue that may cause/ contribute towards staining.
Tips for Keeping Teeth White After Drinking Coffee
At coffeekingdom.co.uk, we want to help our readers where we can. Which is why we’ve come up with some tips to help keep your teeth white after drinking coffee:
Use a straw
Firstly, use a straw. The less contact between your teeth and the coffee, the better, as it will reduce the chances of staining and certainly the amount of staining on your teeth.
Rinse your mouth
Rinse your mouth with water after drinking coffee. This will help remove any coffee residues from your mouth and reduce the risk of staining. Avoid using any other liquid substance, unless it is water or mouthwash. For example rinsing your mouth with a fizzy drink or anything with sweetener/ sugar in could actually do more damage.
Brush your teeth or use mouthwash
Brush your teeth or use mouthwash after drinking coffee. Similar to using water, it will help to remove some of the coffee leftover. Note that brushing your teeth too many times daily can actually harm the enamel. Perhaps use mouthwash more often and also consider reducing the number of coffees you’re having.
No coffee on an empty stomach
This may seem like a weird one to some people but you should avoid drinking coffee on an empty stomach. This can make your teeth more susceptible to staining, as there is less saliva in your mouth to rinse away the coffee. It can also be bad for your mental health too, increasing your chances of feeling anxious.
Cut down on the coffee
Don’t drink coffee too frequently. Limit your intake. You should always be cautious about your daily caffeine intake, ensuring you aren’t above the recommended limit. But also, the more coffee you have on a daily basis, the higher your chances of your teeth staining. Consider lowering the amount you have each day.
Whitening toothpaste
Use a whitening toothpaste. These products contain ingredients that can help remove stains and prevent new ones from forming. There are many recommendable whitening toothpastes on the market and they are also recommended by dentists.
Have regular check ups
Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups. Your dentist can professionally clean your teeth and remove any stubborn stains. They can also provide advice on how to maintain white teeth and prevent staining.
Why Do Some Drinks Cause Teeth Discoloration?
Certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, red wine, berries and more delicacies of this nature contain pigments that can adhere to the enamel on your teeth and cause staining.
These pigments are known as chromogens, and they can range in color from yellow to blue-black. When they come into contact with the porous surface of your teeth, they can penetrate the enamel and cause discoloration.
This is why it’s important to avoid these types of foods and beverages, or at least to minimize your consumption of them, if you want to maintain white teeth.
How to Reduce the Risk of Dental Stains
Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of dental stains:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste..
- Use a mouthwash or rinse after brushing.
- Avoid foods and beverages that are known to stain teeth.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Use a toothpaste or mouthwash specifically designed to help prevent staining.
What Coffee Beverages Won’t Cause Staining?
Drinking water is definitely the best alternative to keep your teeth healthy and avoid staining.
If you do want to consume a caffeine beverage, white tea and white coffee are the least likely to cause teeth staining as they have a lower concentration of chromogens (the pigments that cause staining) compared to other types of tea and coffee.
If you drink white coffees and teas from a straw as well then that’s the best remedy for avoiding staining from coffee after you’ve had your teeth whitened. Even if you haven’t had your teeth whitened, just to protect the general health of your teeth and gums, this is recommended.