Many of us enjoy coffee over tea, the highly addictive and popular coffee culture, dating back thousands of years, has been adopted around the world. For coffee lovers, this brings the pleasure of a daily caffeine rush and the pleasure of a rich flavor. But sadly, coffee may also bring unsightly yellow staining to your teeth, hurting your overall oral health and self-confidence.
Asked about this, many dentists confirm that coffee is a prime suspect when it comes to teeth yellowing. According to several studies, coffee has a high acidity level which leads to tooth enamel erosion. The erosion wears down the enamel and makes teeth more vulnerable to staining.The darker the coffee, the more likely it is to stain teeth. For those who drink multiple cups of coffee, or those who often drink coffee with sugar and cream, the risk of yellow staining increases.
However, the good news is that there are steps and precautions you can take to limit the negative effect of coffee on your teeth. For instance, drinking coffee with a straw is a good way to prevent most of the coffee from coming into contact with your teeth. Even if you consume coffee without a straw, you can reduce the staining effects by drinking it quickly and realistically limiting your intake to a couple of cups per day.
In addition, you can use a toothbrush with soft bristles a couple of times a day and floss regularly between your teeth. If you happen to have yellow teeth, many cosmetic treatments can help, such as professional whitening or dental veneers. Therefore, if you are a coffee consumer, it is extremely important that you take the above steps to protect your teeth from staining and make sure you are keeping your oral hygiene optimal.
Presence of sugar and cream
Experts agree that the presence of sugar and cream significantly increases the discoloration of teeth. Moreover, this is compounded further when multiple cups of coffee are ingested throughout the day. The food particles in sugary creams usually starts to take a toll on the teeth which lead to discoloration and yellowing over time.
Additionally, the longer people drink coffee, the more likely they are to experience tooth discoloration. Thus, if someone has been drinking coffee for years, they are more likely to notice yellowing in their teeth than someone who has just recently begun drinking coffee.
The coffee liquid contains numerous acids that when combined with the already existing acid in the mouth saliva, deprives the teeth of their natural minerals which weakens the tooth enamel, resulting in yellowing it.
So it is of prime importance that you use proper techniques to limit the staining and discoloration from coffee.
Lifestyle and existing genetics
Often, the way we live has a major role to play in whether we experience yellowing teeth. If someone is an avid smoker, diabetic or have a condition like bulimia, there’s a higher chance for the teeth to become discolored. Additionally, genetics also plays an important role in this matter.
Our lifestyle and genetics play a major role in how bad teeth may discolor as they are intrinsic and cannot be controlled compared to external variables, like drinking coffee.
It is essential to maintain good oral hygiene to fulfill the objective of not just having a sparkling smile but also healthy teeth and gums too.
Toothpastes with whitening agents are available in the market that could be used on a regular basis to minimize discoloration and yellowing of teeth.
Using an additional mouthwash
For those wishing to get an added boost when it comes to keeping teeth looking their best, using an additional mouthwash can help. Essential oils such as clove, lemon, green tea and peppermint, have natural compounds that could block the staining effect from coffee.
For best results, one can try mixing a few drops of these oils with regular mouthwash and use it after drinking coffee. One can also mix the oils with warm water and swish your mouth with that mixture, to keep the discoloration at bay.
Similarly, there are many tricks to avoid yellowing of teeth from coffee which people often rely on. For instance, brushing immediately after consuming coffee is another way many people stop discoloration.
But timing is key as brushing too soon can also irritate the enamel and make this worse. So, it is best to wait at least thirty minutes after drinking coffee to brush to get the best of both worlds.
Regular visits at the dentist
Moreover, regular visits to the dentist also have a huge role to play in keeping yellowing at bay. A dentist can assess the level of discoloration and can recommend the appropriate treatments accordingly.
At the dentist, people can be professionally treated with teeth whitening procedures. People with heavy yellowing may find it most effective and successful to visit a dentist in the long run.
Lastly, the diet we consume also has an influence on discoloration. Eating fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, apples and carrots, along with consuming more water, all forms of dairy and other nutritious items, can help keep teeth looking their best.
A proper oral care routine
The best solution to keep teeth looking their whitest and brightest is to develop a proper oral care routine. This should include brushing for at least two minutes twice daily, flossing once daily and using mouthwash. It is also important to limit the intake of acid, sugar and caffeine which all have the potential to shorten the lifespan of tooth enamel.
If you’re a coffee lover, try to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth before taking a sip to protect your teeth from the acidity of the coffee. If there is food in the mouth then the acidic level in the mouth will be higher, forming a composite that is more hazardous to the enamel.
Overall, it is important to understand how to protect your teeth during your daily coffee experiences and properly maintain your oral hygiene to keep your teeth healthy and white in the long term.
Using a toothpaste with whitening agents
Using a toothpaste with whitening agents is another way to minimize discoloration and yellowing of teeth caused by coffee. Fluoride toothpastes work by preventing tooth decay, while whitening toothpastes contain special chemicals meant to remove the staining effect from teeth.
However, some of the whitening toothpastes contain abrasives which may be corrosive, or have an extra or higher level of fluoride which can result in the adverse effects. Hence, it is important to use the appropriate toothpaste for your teeth as instructed by the dentist.
Overall, it is best to limit the intake of coffee to one cup a day and rinse your mouth with water after taking a cup of coffee to protect teeth from yellowing. Moreover, using preventive methods, like drinking coffee with a straw, avoiding sugar and cream, and maintaining good oral hygiene, can all help to limit the yellowing of teeth.
Managing the staining effects with alternative remedies
Moreover, alternative remedies such as coconut oil pulling and baking soda can also help to reduce the staining and discoloring effects of coffee. Coconut oil pulling, a traditional Hindu remedy, has many benefits and is an easy and inexpensive way to improve your oral health. Another natural remedy, baking soda, is known to be helpful in removing the discoloration.
To use coconut oil shooting, use one teaspoon of the oil to swish in the mouth for 5-10 minutes and then spit it out. The antibacterial properties in the oil can reduce the yellowing effect of drinking coffee. There are numerous toothpastes in the market that offer the same benefits, but this method is particularly useful for those looking for natural alternatives.
Similarly, using baking soda to clean teeth can help to remove the build-up of coffee discoloration. This is done by mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with two tablespoons of water and rubbing it on your teeth with your finger, toothbrush or a soft cloth. Doing this once a day will help remove discoloration, bacteria, and tartar.
In conclusion, while the dark color of coffee may turn your teeth yellow, there are steps you can take to make sure your teeth stay shiny and healthy in the long run. To make sure your teeth remain healthy and free of discoloration, practice good dental hygiene, limit your intake of coffee and sugar, and use natural remedies when needed.
