A Coffee Lover’s Guide to Whiter Teeth.
Coffee is arguably one of the most beloved and essential beverages for adults worldwide. However, as much as your favorite cuppa Joe works wonders for waking you up, it’s also one of the culprits for stained and discolored teeth. Since a bright, white smile is the first thing we usually notice on someone, seeing coffee-stained teeth will surely leave a lasting impression – and not the good one!
A Coffee Lover’s Guide to Whiter Teeth
In today’s article, we will focus on teeth discoloration caused by coffee to try and find the causes and the best way to prevent your teeth from turning yellow. If you want to learn how to get white teeth and still enjoy your coffee – stick around for the rest of the guide!
The Popularity of Coffee and its Impact on Teeth
Many people are used to drinking coffee daily. You would have one cup of coffee to start the day, another when having a friendly chit-chat with your colleagues, another when having lunch with your family, and another when going out with friends. Before you know it, much caffeine enters your body and gets on your teeth.
While we do not doubt that all coffee is tasty and the smell of it is one of the best things you could get to start your day, we also want to raise awareness of how it impacts teeth. Namely, coffee particles can stick to your teeth, reaching the small gaps in the teeth’s enamel. They get stuck there and, over time, cause the teeth to turn yellow.
If you want to avoid teeth discoloration caused by drinking coffee, you must be very careful with your oral hygiene and use specific products that will keep your teeth white and bright.
Maintaining Oral Hygiene for Whiter Teeth
Oral hygiene is much more than just brushing your teeth two or three times per day. It involves cleaning your teeth, flossing, using special toothpaste to keep the teeth white, visiting the dentist often, and having the dentist whiten and clean your teeth. It might sound a bit time-consuming, but having great teeth, a healthy mouth, and good breath is a small price to pay.
Here are four must-knows about good oral hygiene that we recommend you keep in mind if you want to have white teeth:
Brushing Techniques and Frequency
Brushing your teeth all over, including the inner and outer parts, would be best. You should keep the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle compared to the gums while making back, forth, up, and down movements. You can also try making circular movements with the toothbrush to remove all the remaining particles.
Using Teeth Whitening Kits
There are a ton of whitening kits on the market nowadays. They are super easy to use, contain everything you need to reach the desired results, and come at a fraction of the cost of professional teeth whitening. Not to mention how convenient they are, as you can use them from your home.
Flossing and its Role in Removing Coffee Stains
Flossing is also extremely important as it can get where the toothbrush cannot – the tight space between the teeth. When you drink coffee, the particles transfer through the liquid and make their way to the space between your teeth. The floss is ideal because you need something other than a toothbrush to get into that tight space. However, if you check this dentist out in Shrewsbury MA, they’ll also tell you that you can use interdental brushes as an alternative to dental floss
In-office teeth whitening treatments
The most effective way to remove discoloration from your teeth is to use an in-office teeth whitening treatment. It might cost more than it costs to make a DIY baking soda and peroxide paste, but it is also much more effective especially the LED light treatments. However, you must do this responsibly and occasionally to avoid damaging the teeth’ enamel and making the teeth more sensitive.
Additional Tips for Coffee Lovers
If you have tried the tips and tricks mentioned above and found them less effective than expected, you can always try doing a few more things to remove coffee stains from your teeth. Here is what we recommend you try doing:
Using a Whitening Mouthwash
The good thing about mouthwash is that it is very effective. Like what we mentioned about flossing, mouthwash can get into hard-to-reach areas. Like coffee, it is liquid and can easily go around your mouth and between the teeth, removing the staining particles and killing bacteria. Furthermore, it will give you fresh breath, a healthy mouth, and whiter teeth!
Chewing Sugar-free Gum after Coffee Consumption
Many people do not know this, but chewing sugar-free gum can help keep your mouth clean after a meal or a cup of joe. By chewing it, you produce more saliva that will get between the teeth and remove the remaining coffee particles. Simultaneously, the saliva removes all residue from your tongue, leaving you with fresher breath.
If you want to try this out, it is essential to stick to sugar-free gum, as the sugar-packed counterpart could contribute to teeth damage. Also, chew it for only 20 to 30 minutes to avoid damaging the teeth’ enamel too much.
Regular Dental Check-ups and Cleanings
Finally, a regular visit to the dentist can be extremely beneficial. Make sure you have your teeth checked for cavities and other problems at least once every six months. If possible, also go for regular cleanings to help remove coffee stains and keep your teeth intact.
Wrap Up
White and bright teeth are always a sign of a healthy mouth and a person who takes good care of themselves. You should always brush your teeth at least twice daily, if not after each meal and cup of coffee, but you should do it with an electric toothbrush. Dental floss, mouthwash, and whitening kits are also a great alternative for clean, and white teeth.
If you combine all these things and make them a part of your regular oral hygiene routine, we do not doubt you will see your teeth return to their old glory. So, before you give up your precious coffee for whiter teeth – try these tips first!