Does Coffee Stain Your Teeth? Yes! Learn Why and How To Prevent Coffee Stains

 It’s easy to see why so many people consider coffee a miraculous concoction. After all, this potent brew does more than help you rise and shine. Studies show that drinking a single cup each day is linked to a decreased risk of dying from cancer, stroke, and diabetes. Coffee drinkers are also less likely to die of heart, kidney and respiratory diseases. However, coffee drinking does have a dark side. Does coffee stain your teeth? Whether you drink it hot or cold, the answer is yes. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to prevent these stains from ruining your smile.

Why Does Coffee Stain Your Teeth?

Coffee, as well as teas, wines, berries and many other foods sourced from plants, contain tannins. Tannins are water-soluble polyphenols that stain. When you savor a cup of coffee, the tannins in the coffee can cling to the surface of your teeth and give them an unpleasant tinge resulting in yellow teeth.

Protecting Your Smile From Coffee Stains

If you want to protect your teeth from coffee stains, you’ll want to limit the contact between coffee’s tannins and your teeth. To do this, you can:

• Limit the amount of coffee that you drink. Swallowing less coffee means you’ll encounter fewer tannins, which reduces staining.
• Drink your coffee in one sitting. Sipping coffee throughout the day means that you are continually exposing your teeth to the brew’s staining agents. On the other hand, gulping it down in one go makes taking action afterward to counteract stains more feasible.
• Use a straw. A straw helps to keep the coffee, and the tannins it contains, away from your teeth. Obviously, this strategy works best with chilled coffee.
• Drink water. Downing a tall glass of water after you drink your coffee helps to wash away any lingering tannins. If you aren’t thirsty enough to drink the water, rinse out your mouth with it instead.
• Snack on fruits and veggies. Foods like apples, strawberries, celery and carrots contain natural fibers that scrub away some of the staining agents lurking in your coffee.
• Brush your teeth. Using your toothbrush after you drink your coffee will remove troublesome tannins promptly, reducing staining.

How to Remove Coffee Stains From Teeth

If coffee stains are dulling your smile despite your best efforts, you don’t have to grin and bear it. Enlist the aid of your dentist. Regular checkups safeguard your dental health by identifying potential issues before they become big problems, and professional cleanings brighten your smile. Are you longing for a whiter smile? Teeth whitening treatments can remove coffee stains and other discolorations. Various options are available, and your dentist can help you choose the one that best suits your situation.

At Wekiva Dental, we don’t expect you to give up your coffee. We’ll be happy to work with you so that you can enjoy both your favorite coffee and a white, healthy smile. To learn more about dental health and teeth whitening, contact us today at 407-869-7333.