Does Coffee Stain My Teeth?

Dec 6 2023

Yes. The short answer is yes, coffee does stain your teeth, especially if you’re an avid coffee drinker. Although this may be the case, it doesn’t mean you must quit your coffee habit to keep your teeth white. Instead, you can change your practices or follow some tips to combat and maintain the desired shading of your teeth.

Why Does Coffee Stain my teeth?

Coffee contains a molecule called tannins, which is safe but may cause tooth discolouration. Tannin is a brownish organic substance naturally found in certain beverages or foods, including coffee. This plant compound is a form of gallic acid, which, when consumed, can seep into the pores of your teeth, resulting in staining. As with anything acidic, it can wear down the enamel over time.

How can I reduce coffee staining my teeth:

Reduce sugar/sweeteners in your coffee: sugar speeds up the growth of bacteria in general, which may be harmful and detrimental to the health and colouration of teeth.

Rinse mouth with water: right after drinking a cup of coffee, rinse your mouth with water to get rid of the coffee that remains on surface of your tooth.

Brush your teeth: after about 15 minutes of consuming your coffee, brush your teeth. This will get rid of any coffee remains that reside on your teeth. Due to the acidic nature of coffee, it is best to wait some time after consuming the coffee to brush your teeth rather than immediately after. Brushing right away may weaken your tooth enamel; therefore, wait about 15 minutes after coffee consumption before brushing.

Change what you drink: a stronger coffee will contain more tannins and therefore cause more staining. Alternatively, not drinking coffee in the first place is your best bet.

Drink your coffee fast: drinking your coffee relatively fast instead of prolonging the drinking period will shorten the frequency of the tannin molecule coming in contact with your teeth’s pores. Therefore the longer and slower you drink your coffee, the more exposure you will have to the staining component of coffee, resulting in more staining.

Regular visits with your dentist: visiting your dentist a minimum of once every six months is recommended. Professional cleaning is a crucial step in maintaining the overall well-being of our oral health. Regular cleanups can sometimes be all it takes to get rid of coffee stains, depending on the severity of your tooth discolouration.

Good oral hygiene routine: maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine is your at-home opportunity to combat tooth discolouration and prevent further oral complications. Make sure to checkout our article on oral health and maintenance.

Using teeth whitening toothpaste and fluoride

You can still enjoy your daily coffee/s and prevent teeth staining by following the tips above. Maintain proper oral hygiene, visit your local dentist every six months at the minimum, and follow the tips to prevent tooth discolouration from coffee.

What drinks stain teeth other than coffee?

Coffee is not the only drink that can discolour your teeth; many foods and beverages will stain your teeth, and many additional remedies can be followed to prevent tooth discolouration. Follow this link to read more.

Cosmetic Dentistry can help reduce teeth staining

These home remedies and tips are an excellent way to maintain a proper oral routine that will help you prevent the buildup of plaque and tannins that stain your teeth. However, your best bet is to get your teeth professionally whitened!

The Takeaway from coffee staining teeth:

Your daily coffee habit is causing and promoting the discolouration of your teeth, and following specific tips and guidelines can help reduce or prevent further discolouration or damage to your tooth! Professional or no treatment, ensure you follow the proper tooth maintenance steps to keep your teeth as white as they can be!

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