Does Coffee Stain Teeth & Turn Them Yellow?
If you’re a coffee lover (and, frankly, who isn’t!), you may wonder, ‘does coffee stain teeth?’. After all, if you’re among the twenty-seven per cent of Aussies who can’t survive without a coffee. And the seventy-five per cent that have at least one cup every day, you likely consume a reasonable amount.
But, if you’re a coff-a-holic, who can blame you? Your favourite americano, flat white or mocha is more than just a delicious hot drink; it also has some excellent health benefits. Coffee can increase your energy levels, boost your metabolism, and even help balance your blood sugar.
However, your must-have morning kick-starter does come with a downside: coffee stains and dulls your teeth over time. But don’t despair, coffee addicts. There are simple steps you can take to prevent serious staining and get back your sparkling, white smile.
How Does Coffee Stain Teeth?
Coffee contains tannins. And it’s these organic compounds that discolour teeth. Did you know tannins are used to dye fabric? It’s true. So it’s no surprise that tannins stain your teeth.
Also found in other favourite drinks such as tea and wine, tannins are a type of polyphenol that causes colour compounds to attach to your teeth. Once stuck to your pearly whites, the problematic compounds leave a yellowy tinge on your teeth. Yuck!
Other Tasty Teeth-Staining Treats
Of course, you can’t blame coffee for all your yellowy toothed woes. Plenty of other tasty treats will leave your gnashers in a not-so-great state, such as:
- Tea
- Red wine
- Sweets
- Energy drinks
- Ice lollies
- Colas
- Tomato sauce
- Cherries, blackberries & blueberries
Is Coffee Bad for Oral Hygiene?
It can be, yes. But no more so than carbonated drinks and fruit juice. That’s because coffee is acidic. And acidic foods and beverages aren’t great for your enamel. The acidity from a drink or snack can cause your teeth’s protective coating to erode. And thinner enamel can lead to sensitive teeth, tooth decay and gum disease.
Because coffee sticks to your tongue, it can also cause bad breath. To avoid the embarrassment of having death breath following your favourite coffee, eat before or during drinking and give your tongue a clean when you’ve had your final sip.
How to Reduce Coffee Staining
If you can’t cope without your regular cups of coffee, don’t worry. Here are a few things you can do to reduce teeth staining:
Keep Your Teeth Clean
After you’ve enjoyed your coffee, brush your teeth. But hold on! Not immediately after. It’s crucial to wait a little while for the acidity levels in your mouth to neutralise before you give your gnashers a good old clean.
Rinse on the Go
So, okay, brushing your teeth while you’re out and about isn’t always possible. If that’s the case, give your mouth a rinse instead. Ideally, rinse your mouth with a mouthwash, but if all else fails, water will work too.
Treat Yourself to an Electric Toothbrush
If you’re still using a traditional, manual toothbrush, where’ve you been for the last two decades? Upgrade your dental routine by investing in an electric toothbrush today. Electric toothbrushes are typically recommended by dentists and will take your teeth cleaning to the next level.
Switch to a Straw
Sip your coffee through a straw, and your coffee never needs to go near your gnashers. Clever, eh! Admittedly, hot coffee through a straw might be a stretch too far, but if iced coffee is your thing, drinking through a straw can be a great stain-saver.
Have Regular Dental Check-ups
Part of looking after your teeth involves seeing your dentist regularly. Biannual dental visits will help prevent any potential dental problems and keep your pearly whites looking perfect.
What You Can Do About Stained Teeth
Of course, even with preventative measures in place, if you’re a coffee drinker, your smile will eventually dull over time. But panic not. You don’t need to learn to love your yellowy teeth.
Does coffee stain teeth permanently? If you do nothing to remove the staining, yes. But luckily for you, there are lots of ways to regain your gleaming grin:
Whitening Mouthwash
Although it can take some time to see results from regular rinsing with a whitening mouthwash, it could be a great post-coffee rinse when you’re on the go.
Whitening Toothpaste
Brushing regularly with a whitening toothpaste that contains hydrogen peroxide can be a great way to gradually remove any unwanted surface stains. Again, noticeable results can take a while to see, but whitening toothpaste can brighten your smile over time.
Whitening Strips
Strips can be an effective way to whiten your yellow teeth, depending on the brand you go for. Containing the bleaching agent hydrogen peroxide, wearing whitening strips as instructed should gradually lighten your teeth. But be careful. Whitening strips can produce inconsistent results and can lead to painful gums if not used properly.
Whitening Kits
Using a whitening kit is a great way to get the fast and fabulous results you want at home. Rapid teeth whitening—without having to step outside.
A dentist-approved, premium teeth whitening kit will give you ‘wow’ results in just a week. So long, coffee stains!
In-Office Whitening
Having a dentist bleach your teeth for you is also a speedy way to a whiter smile.
With in-office whitening, you’ll see a noticeable change in tooth colour quickly. But it’s worth bearing in mind, chairside bleaching can be inconvenient and considerably more costly than other teeth-whitening methods.
Get a Stain-Free, Sparkling Smile with SmartSmileCo
If you’re a coff-a-holic who’s been wondering ‘does coffee stain teeth?’ and who would love to lift those unsightly stains, you need a SmartSmileCo teeth whitening kit. None of the hassle and expense of in-office whitening, just all the smile-sparkling results.
Looking for a safe and convenient way to remove coffee stains from your teeth? Want to continue enjoying your favourite espressos without sacrificing your smile? If you’re having your teeth straightened with a clear aligner or retainer, order your dentist-approved premium whitening kit today. And get the bright, white smile you’ve always wanted.
