To many of our patients, that first cup of coffee in the morning is sacred, and sometimes necessary in order to get the day started. We know that each sip is vital to help you power through your day! While we can understand and empathize with your affinity for coffee, we also wanted to talk about a few of its downsides––namely its notoriety for staining your teeth.

Before you skip out on the Starbucks drive-thru, we wanted to let you know that you don’t have to quit your coffee habit in order to have white teeth! In fact, with these three tips, you can have your coffee and drink it, too. 

#1: Rinse Your Mouth After Drinking Coffee

Coffee contains ingredients called tannins (also found in wine and tea), which are a type of polyphenol that breaks down in water. They cause color compounds that stick to your teeth and leave behind an unwanted yellow tint. 

If you want to avoid staining your teeth every morning, we recommend chasing down your next cup of coffee with a glass of water. 

#2: Drink Your Coffee Faster

We understand that your morning cup of coffee is a sacred ritual that needs to be enjoyed slowly. However, the longer you take to drink your coffee, the longer it sits on your unprotected teeth. To counteract this, we recommend drinking your coffee as quickly as you can––as long as it isn’t too hot! 

#3: Whiten Your Teeth

If you, like many others, have been an avid coffee drinker for a while and now have stained teeth, different types of teeth whitening services may be of benefit to you. As always, it’s best to consult a dental professional before attempting to whiten your teeth, so they can develop a treatment plan that suits your teeth best.

If you want to opt for a cheaper alternative, you can always pick up teeth whitening strips, gels, or toothpaste at your local drugstore. Some of these at-home options can result in teeth sensitivity, so it’s alway best to ask your dentist first. 

Having white teeth can sometimes feel like a big commitment, especially if it could affect your morning cup of coffee. Luckily, if you follow these tips, it doesn’t have to! 
Along with following these tips, we also recommend regular dentist visits, brushing your teeth, flossing, and making diet changes to limit the amount of sugar and acids your teeth come into contact with. To make an appointment, contact LeCroy Dental today!