Love Coffee but Want a White Smile? Here Are Some Simple Tricks

Your smile is often the first impression you make, and no one wants to flash a mouthful of stained teeth. Before you wrap your hands around another cup of joe, here’s how to enjoy coffee while maintaining your pearly whites. 

Greenwich Dentistry in Greenwich, Connecticut, offers a full range of dental care services, including professional teeth whitening if your smile needs a reset. 

Why coffee stains teeth 

Dental enamel is your teeth’s protective coating. But it’s not indestructible. The acids in coffee can weaken enamel and create a path for tannins and other plant-based substances to discolor your teeth over time. 

Tips to maintain a white smile and still enjoy coffee

Fortunately, you don’t have to give up coffee to maintain a bright smile. Consider these simple habits — you likely do some of them already.

Use a straw 

Using a straw reduces how much contact coffee has with your teeth. Less direct contact helps reduce staining.

Brush your teeth

Coffee contains many acids that can weaken teeth enamel, so clean your teeth after your coffee to avoid damage. However, don’t do it right away as that can further harm the enamel.

Saliva naturally breaks down coffee acids, so if you wait an hour after drinking coffee to brush your teeth, you let saliva do its thing. Then, brushing your teeth can wash away the stains before they set.

If you’re on the go and can’t brush your teeth, rinse your mouth with water. Even a quick water rinse can help prevent the tannins from clinging to your teeth. 

Drink it at once 

Don’t sip on a cup of coffee throughout the day because that gives the coffee more time to coat your teeth. 

Maintain good oral hygiene 

The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water and many foods. It strengthens your teeth enamel to help prevent tooth decay. 

Don’t forget to floss. Flossing is a big part of a healthy mouth and bright, clean teeth. 

Schedule regular dental cleanings

See our dentists for regular cleanings and checkups every six months. Drs. Mark and Sean Sutton evaluate your oral hygiene and recommend treatment options, including teeth whitening.

Get professional teeth whitening

If your love of coffee has already taken its toll on your teeth, Greenwich Dentistry can help. We use Philips Zoom whitening treatment, combining a bleaching solution with LED light technology to noticeably brighten your teeth.

Some patients see their teeth get up to eight shades lighter after a Zoom whitening session. 

To see if professional teeth whitening is right for you, call the Cos Cob office of Greenwich Dentistry today.