So, you’re an avid coffee drinker, and your latte of choice has left you with yellow teeth rather than the pearly whites you once had. Well, you’re in good company, and there are many ways you can go about fighting those stains as well as preventing them from happening moving forward.
Why Does Coffee Cause Teeth Stains?
Coffee is rich in a type of polyphenol called “tannins,” and these are responsible for the flavor and color of your favorite cup of coffee. Unfortunately,tannins are also responsible for the stains on your teeth, because these compounds have a tendency to stick to our tooth enamel.
There are two ways that coffee might end up staining your teeth. One way involves coffee staining the plaque on your teeth, resulting in brownish stains that can actually easily be cleaned away. The other way your teeth get stained, though, is when those tannins stick to the pores in your enamel. These are the stains that are long-lasting and require whitening procedures to lessen their appearance.
How Can I Prevent Stains in the First Place?
If you are hoping to prevent coffee stains on your teeth before they start, you are in luck, as there are plenty of easy ways to prevent the discoloration from happening.
I Already Have Coffee Stains… What Now?
If you’ve already got those stains on your teeth, not all hope is lost. Aregular cleaning at your dentist’s office can help get rid of some of the discoloration, or a professional whitening procedure can give you even more noticeable and long-lasting results.
If a trip to the dentist just is not for you right now, that’s okay too. Some home remedies can also help you whiten your teeth. The most popular recipe for whitening at home is a paste made with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, which you can then brush your teeth with. Just use this with caution since baking soda can be extra abrasive if you brush too hard.
Coffee stains can also be reduced through the use of store-bought teeth whitening products like teeth whitening pens, gels, trays, or whitening strips, but you should keep in mind that some of these products contain ingredients that will leave you with painful teeth sensitivity afterward.
Lucky for you,Dr. Brite products are formulated with this in mind, meaning you can whiten your teeth safely and effectively without the sensitivity that is usually guaranteed to cause you discomfort after usage. OurExtreme Whitening Toothpaste is free of sulfates and parabens and can be used like any average toothpaste to give you the bright white teeth of your dreams.
The Dr. BriteCoffee and Tea Teeth Whitening Pen is a great choice if you want more control and precision when it comes to your whitening regimen. Specifically formulated for stains caused by coffee and tea, this pen is highly effective without the nasty, toxic chemicals used in similar products. However, for a more complete solution you'll want to consider our extreme whitening kit, one of our best selling teeth whitening products available.
Teeth whitening trays can also give you great results for at-home teeth whitening, and they work in conjunction with an LED light. Trays are one of the strongest whitening products you can buy over the counter, and the Dr. BritePre-Filled Teeth Whitening Tray can help whiten your teeth up to 8 shades.
Dr. Brite iscommitted to offering safe and effective products that are non-toxic, and this whitening tray includes powerful natural ingredients such as coconut oil, peppermint oil, and chamomile extract for the best whitening experience you can get.
How Long Will Whitening Last?
In general, toothpastes and mouthwashes that have been formulated to whiten your teeth are great if you want to start a whitening regimen that will not add extra steps to your already busy day, but whitening pens and trays may give you faster and more noticeable results.
Additionally, make sure you carefully follow the instructions provided by the specific whitening products you choose. Some products may suggest more frequent application than others, or there may be specific steps that might get overlooked if you do not read the directions carefully.
Over the counter whitening products can give you whiter teeth that stay white for a few weeks to a month depending on the products you use, but if you want results that last even longer, a trip to the dentist is your best bet. The results you get from professional whitening procedures can last a few years rather than a few weeks, meaning that this is the best choice if you are looking for something more permanent.
If you want to make your results from any whitening products last even longer, refer back to our tips on how to prevent stains in the first place.
Doing things like maintaining great oral hygiene and rinsing your mouth after drinking coffee can help keep your teeth white after any whitening treatment. Be mindful of other foods and beverages that can stain your teeth, too, as these may be causing stains without you even knowing. Red wine, tea, and dark fruits such as blackberries and cherries are all common culprits for stained enamel, so take care of your teeth after consuming these foods.
Takeaway
Coffee is one of the most stain-inducing foods when it comes to discoloration of your teeth, but this also means that there are plenty of products that have been made specifically for combatting these stains.
Over the counter whitening products like teeth whitening pens, whitening toothpaste and mouthwash, and pre-filled teeth whitening trays are all effective, affordable options that allow you to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home.
These products can give you results that last up to a month or so and may last even longer if you follow certain steps to prevent new stains from forming, like rinsing your mouth after drinking coffee or eating stain-causing foods. Taking a trip to the dentist means you can choose to have an in-office, professional whitening procedure done which can give you whiter teeth for a whole year or longer.
Once you have the whiter teeth that you desire, you should take care to prevent stains from forming again so that you do not have to continue repeating the process. You can prevent stains by reducing consumption of foods and beverages that cause them, drinking stain-causing beverages through a straw, or chewing gum after consuming a stain-inducing food or drink.
Stains can be frustrating, but they don’t have to last forever, and once you find a whitening product that is right for you you can start working against your stained enamel.
FAQs
1. How do you get deep coffee stains off your teeth?
Prepare a paste with two drops of hydrogen peroxide and a pinch of baking soda. Brush your teeth twice a day with this paste to remove coffee stains. If you consult with your dentist, you can use over-the-counter teeth whitening products like toothpaste and whitening strips that are approved by the ADA.
2. How do you get coffee stains off your teeth naturally?
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste can be used to remove plaque and bacteria. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Be sure to thoroughly rinse your mouth with water after brushing your teeth with this paste.
3. Are coffee stains permanent on teeth?
Does coffee stain teeth permanently? Coffee stains on your teeth can be removed with whitening toothpaste, or you can have them professionally whitened by your dentist and orthodontist. The tannins in coffee discolor teeth.
Sources:
https://www.thehealthy.com/dental/coffee-stains-teeth/
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/what-does-coffee-do-to-your-teeth#removal
