Drinking Coffee with Teeth Whitening – Is it Safe?
Everyone wants to have a bright, sparkling smile. With the advent of teeth whitening products and treatments, there is now a cost-effective way to achieve it. But is it safe to drink coffee, tea, or red wine right after having teeth whitening treatments? We posed this question to our resident dental expert to find out the answer.
According to our dental expert, it is important to understand how teeth whitening products work before drinking coffee or other beverages with a high staining potential. Teeth whitening products generally contain a chemical ingredient that opens up the pores of the enamel, allowing the product to seep down and break down discoloration. Because of this, it is more likely for staining substances like coffee and wine to penetrate deeper into the teeth and cause more serious stain problems.
However, the expert emphasised that it is possible to continue to drink coffee and other beverages after a teeth whitening treatment. But it is important to ensure that proper cleaning and maintenance are carried out after each time. This means brushing and flossing regularly, visiting your dentist for regular check-ups, and avoiding beverages with a known tendency to stain, such as coffee and red wine.
The dental expert suggested that while coffee drinkers should still enjoy their beverage of choice after a teeth whitening treatment, they should eliminate or reduce their consumption of these beverages. Otherwise, they risk creating a cycle of whitening and re-staining their teeth, which could be damaging in the long run. Additionally, it is important to note that the effects of teeth whitening products are not permanent and will need to be repeated periodically.
Pros and Cons of Drinking Coffee After Teeth Whitening Treatments
Before whitening your teeth, it is important to consider the pros and cons of drinking coffee in order to keep your teeth healthy and white. Below are some of the pros and cons of drinking coffee after teeth whitening treatments.
Pros
- Drinking coffee is a natural way to maintain a brighter smile
- Coffee contains lots of antioxidants which can help prevent tooth decay
- Coffee can help with stress relief and it can provide an energy boost
Cons
- Coffee can cause staining to your teeth, especially when it is consumed in large quantities
- Teeth whitening treatments can be vulnerable to staining right after treatment, making it more difficult to keep teeth bright and white
- Coffee can increase your risk of developing cavities or gum disease, which can negatively affect your overall oral health
Tips to Help Keep Your Teeth White
If you plan on whitening your teeth, it is important to understand how to keep them white and healthy in the long-term. Our expert recommends some simple tips to help keep your teeth white.
- Limit your consumption of coffee, red wine, and other staining foods and beverages, particularly after teeth whitening treatments
- Brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent the accumulation of stains
- Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and professional teeth whitening treatments to prevent/reduce discoloration
- Use whitening toothpaste or whitening strips to help maintain your brighter smile
- Drink plenty of water to help eliminate staining materials from the surface of your teeth
How Teeth Whitening Treatments Work
There are a variety of professional teeth whitening treatments available and each one works differently. Below are some of the most popular types of teeth whitening treatments.
Bleaching Treatments
Bleaching treatments involve a special dental tray that is filled with a special bleaching solution that is applied directly to the surface of the teeth. The tray is then placed in the patient’s mouth and a special light is shined on it to accelerate the whitening process. This type of treatment is usually done in two to four office visits, depending on the patient’s preference.
Laser Teeth Whitening
This treatment involves a special laser light that is used to speed up the whitening process by activating the active ingredient in the bleaching gel. This type of whitening can be done in a single office visit and it is painless, however it is more expensive than other types of treatments.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
At-home teeth whitening kits can provide a more economical option for those who are looking for a whiter smile. These kits contain a special dental tray that is filled with a bleaching gel that is applied directly to the teeth. The user then wears this tray for a certain period of time, depending on the desired results.
Whitening Toothpastes
Whitening toothpastes are another way to achieve a whiter smile. Most whitening toothpastes contain special ingredients like baking soda or hydrogen peroxide that act as abrasives and help remove surface stains. While these toothpastes are usually only able to remove surface stains, they can also be used in conjunction with other types of whitening treatments.
At-Home Remedies
At-home remedies are also another way to help keep your teeth white and healthy. Popular methods for teeth whitening include using activated charcoal, apple cider vinegar, and baking soda. While these remedies are not as powerful as professional treatments, they can be used as maintenance for keeping your teeth white and bright.
