When you drink certain dark beverages like coffee, staining on the teeth can become a problem. These stains are caused by the pigment in the drink.
The more often that you drink coffee, the more noticeable the stains may become. However, there are several ways that you can keep coffee from discoloring your teeth.
Use A Straw
While it might sound like a strange idea to coffee lovers who like sipping their brew, one of the best ways to keep the coffee stains at bay is by using a straw every time you have the beverage. Straws work to prevent staining because they keep the beverage away from your teeth.
Rinse With Water
Just like you can swish water after a meal to remove some of the food particles, you can do the same with the pigment residue that coffee leaves behind. Right after you have a cup of coffee, just drink water and move it around in your mouth to wash the coffee away from your teeth.
Brush Your Teeth
Even better than using water however is taking the time to clean your teeth after you’ve had coffee. Brushing immediately afterward is a highly effective way of preventing the stains. If you’re at home, it’s better to use an electric toothbrush over a manual one, because they can clean your teeth better. Take a toothbrush on the job with you if you drink coffee at work so that you can brush your teeth right afterward.
Your Dentist Can Help
If you’re a coffee drinker, make sure that you never skip your regular dental cleanings. Your dentist can not only spot problems like cavities that are just forming, but they can also spot staining and treat it for you by giving you a professional cleaning, which will help whiten your teeth.
Develop A Mouthwash Habit
If you’re not someone who uses mouthwash but you are a regular coffee drinker, then you need to develop a mouthwash habit. Mouthwash contains ingredients that work to prevent stains on the teeth. You can find many brands that also have added whiteners. So if your teeth have already become stained, the mouthwash can lighten the discoloration.
Shorten Your Coffee Breaks
While savoring coffee is the ideal way to enjoy it, having a leisurely coffee break throughout the day can cause the staining. If your teeth have been getting stained, you need to keep your coffee breaks short. If you can look in the mirror and see that your teeth are beginning to darken, then you want to quickly buy a mouth whitening product to use.
But don’t use the strips because certain kinds of these can make your teeth even more susceptible to absorbing stains. Remember that the longer stains remain on the teeth, the harder they can be to remove.