A Parent’s Guide to Emergency Dental Care

Posted on: 5 October 2015

Coffee. It soothes the soul, but darkens teeth. If you enjoy a good cup of coffee every day—or even periodically—you are probably staining your teeth. While the best way to prevent teeth staining is to avoid everything that causes it, that's not very realistic. Fortunately, you can enjoy your favorite mocha without having a dark smile.

Here are five tips to help prevent coffee stains on your teeth:

1. Drink Water After Indulging

The longer you let coffee and sugar sit on your teeth, the more likely you are to suffer from staining. This is because coffee is acidic—even though it doesn't taste like it—and that is what causing staining and cavities. If you want to enjoy your coffee with minimal staining, always drink a glass of water afterwards. When you drink the water, swish it around it your mouth. The water will neutralize the acid, wash away the coffee, and help to prevent stains.

2. Use a Straw

Another way you can help minimize staining is by reducing the amount of contact coffee has with your teeth. There are a few ways to go about this, but drinking it quickly or using a straw is the best. So if you enjoy coffee, opt for espresso which is smaller so that you can drink it faster. You could also opt for iced coffee and drink it with a straw.

3. Invest In a Good Toothbrush

A good toothbrush will help keep your teeth free of stains from coffee—as well as other foods and beverages. If you don't already use an electric toothbrush, consider investing in one. These toothbrushes are powerful and they can really help remove stains, as the bristles move quickly. If you can't afford an electric toothbrush, invest in a good standard one that fits your mouth well.

4. Brush With Baking Soda

Another helpful tip for those concerned with staining is to brush with baking soda. The coarseness of baking soda helps to wipe away stains, leaving your teeth cleaner and whiter. It an affordable and easy way to keep your teeth cleaner between dentist appointments. Simply apply some baking soda on your brush, wet it, and brush your teeth as you normally would. Do this once a week to help keep stains at bay.

5. Get Your Teeth Whitened

Finally, consider having your teeth whitened on a regular basis. You can use at-home kits or visit your cosmetic dentist to have it done professionally. You could also get professional at-home kits from your dentist, if you wish. Do this regularly to help keep your teeth white and prevent deep, dark staining.

If you just can't part with your coffee habits, be sure to incorporate these tips into your daily life. These tips, in combination with regularly cosmetic dentist visits, will help keep your teeth healthy and white.