Is that morning cup of joe causing coffee stains on your teeth? People who drink coffee regularly develop dental stains over time. Undergoing teeth whitening treatment can help lift stubborn stains off your tooth enamel.
Professional whitening treatments and at-home teeth whitening kits are a safe and effective way to address dental discoloration caused by dark-colored foods and beverages. The good news is, you can still drink coffee and maintain your pearly whites.
This article will cover ways to enjoy drinking coffee after teeth whitening treatments.
DRINKS THAT CAUSE DISCOLORATION
There are many tasty beverages that, unfortunately cause tooth discoloration. In general, you'll want to avoid dark-colored foods and beverages to maintain whitening results.
Here are some of the most popular dark drinks that cause stained teeth.
COFFEE
Hot coffee and iced coffee will stain your teeth. The rich color plus frequent consumption is a formula for yellow or brown-stained teeth.
SODA
Dark-colored on intense-colored sodas such as Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, and Mountain Dew can also compromise a whiter smile. The dark food coloring can seep through your tooth enamel and change the color of your teeth.
RED WINE
Red wine is one of the most popular libations. People love to consume fine wine with dinner or at social gatherings. However, when red wine is consistently consumed consistently, it will tint your teeth over time.
SPORTS DRINKS
Orange, blue, and lime green colored sports drinks will also cause tooth discoloration. Many sports drinks are also packed with acids that weaken your tooth enamel. This makes your teeth more susceptible to cavities and decay.
WHEN CAN I DRINK COFFEE AFTER TEETH WHITENING TREATMENT?
After your teeth whitening treatment, hang tight on drinking coffee and other dark-tinted beverages. Teeth whitening procedures don't last forever, however, there are ways to prolong a bright white smile.
WAIT 48 HOURS
Whether you've had a professional teeth whitening treatment or you've whitened your teeth at home, many dentists recommend that you wait 48 hours before drinking coffee.
After a teeth whitening treatment, your teeth are more porous and sensitive. The bleaching agents in these treatments make you more susceptible to dental discoloration. Preserve tooth color by waiting a few days after your whitening treatment.
It takes 48 hours for your tooth enamel to remineralize and build up its defenses again. After this waiting period, you're free to enjoy drinking coffee again.
You'll also want to avoid stain-causing foods and drinks for the first few days.
TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR TEETH WHITE AFTER DRINKING COFFEE:
It's par for the course for coffee drinkers to struggle with surface stains. Since most coffee connoisseurs have a morning cup of jo every morning, the likelihood of developing stains is higher.
Thankfully, there are ways to take certain precautions and minimize coffee stains to enjoy drinking coffee. After you've waited 48 hours and you're ready to indulge in caffeine again, here are a few tips to drink coffee after teeth whitening treatments.
USE A STRAW
One way to enjoy coffee and drink other dark beverages is to use a straw. A straw helps reduce staining since the liquid bypasses the teeth. This allows you to enjoy dark beverages while allowing your teeth whitening results to last longer. Enjoy an iced latte with a straw, and for hot coffee, try a thermos with a built-in straw or buy the smaller straws designed for hot liquids.
PRACTICE GOOD ORAL HYGIENE HABITS
Practicing good oral hygiene will help minimize stains and keep teeth whiter. Brush your teeth twice a day with a whitening toothpaste and floss every day. You'll also want to brush your teeth immediately after drinking coffee.
Using a whitening toothpaste will keep your smile white in between treatments. Whitening toothpaste also contains polishing agents that help scrub away stains gently.
When rounding out your dental care routine, look for products that have bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These whitening agents help reduce stains and whiten teeth.
RINSE WITH WATER
If you're unable to brush your teeth immediately after drinking coffee, drink water and swish it around to help reduce stains. This helps neutralize acids and sway away sitting liquids. It will buy you some time before you can brush your teeth.
VISIT THE DENTIST REGULARLY
Visit your dental practice regularly to get your teeth cleaned and examined. This will help teeth whitening results last longer. You can also visit a cosmetic dentistry office to have your teeth professionally whitened. Many offices offer flexible set availability and work with your schedule.
ENJOY COFFEE IN MODERATION
Another way to keep your teeth white is to reduce the amount of coffee you drink. Drinking too much coffee increases your chances of developing stains on your teeth. You'll also need more frequent whitening treatments, which can make your teeth more sensitive. Ideally, you should have only one to two cups of coffee a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink coffee through a straw during teeth whitening?
It is best to avoid coffee and dark beverages entirely. But if coffee is important to you, a straw can minimize staining.
Can I drink tea after teeth whitening?
Coffee and tea contain tannins, which can accumulate and discolor the color of your teeth over time. Tannins can discolor teeth much quicker after a professional whitening when they are most porous. After whitening your teeth, limit your coffee and tea consumption for a few days.
How long after teeth whitening can I eat?
In general, avoid foods that are prone to re-stain your teeth or irritate sensitive teeth. After a brief period, usually between 24-72 hours, you can resume a normal nutritious diet.
Why do I have white spots on my teeth after whitening?
White spots on teeth are caused by hypo calcification or calcium loss in tooth enamel.
SUMMARY
You can still enjoy the benefits of drinking coffee, even after a teeth whitening treatment. You'll need to wait 48 hours after a whitening treatment to ensure coffee stains don't re-tinge your pearly whites. Thankfully, there are still ways to enjoy coffee.
