Coffee can cause stains and discolouration on the teeth.
If you love your morning coffee, you’re not alone — many of us need a shot of caffeine to kick-start the day. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying coffee in moderation, it can, unfortunately, stain the surface of the teeth. Coffee contains tannins that cause colour compounds to stick to the teeth, which leads to discolouration over time. Read on to find out how you can get rid of coffee stains on teeth or prevent them altogether…
How can you remove coffee stains?
If you have noticed coffee stain or discolouration on your teeth, it can be helpful to get your teeth professionally cleaned. It is advisable to have your teeth cleaned every six months or so as this helps to remove plaque and tartar, as well as surface stains.
It is also important that you practice good proper oral hygiene daily. This means brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. You might consider using an electric toothbrush for an even more thorough clean.
Can you prevent coffee stains?
The best way to prevent stains is to avoid coffee altogether, but if this isn’t an option for you, you might consider limiting your consumption to just one cup a day. It is also helpful to have your coffee without sugar — sugar speeds up the growth of the harmful bacteria that cause discolouration.
To minimise staining, try and drink your coffee in one sitting, rather than sipping on it slowly throughout the day. This helps to prevent bacteria from building up over an extended period. Also, try and drink some water after your cup of coffee as this helps to clean your mouth. If you can, brush your teeth around half an hour after you’ve finished your coffee. Coffee is an acidic beverage, so brushing your teeth any sooner than this may weaken your enamel and make your teeth more susceptible to stains.
Does coffee cause other issues?
Besides contributing to stains and discolouration, coffee can also cause bad breath. This often occurs because it tends to stick to the tongue, so if you do enjoy a cup of coffee, try and brush your tongue with your toothbrush afterwards.
Coffee stain can also contribute to the growth of bacteria in the mouth and teeth, which in turn leads to dental erosion. To minimise the harmful effects of bacteria, rinse your mouth with water after you have finished your coffee.
What else causes stains?
There are a number of foods and drinks that can cause the teeth to discolour. These include black tea, red wine, cola, sports drinks, dark sauces and highly pigmented berries like blueberries and blackberries. To avoid stains, try and enjoy these foods and beverages in moderation, and be sure to rinse your mouth with water after consuming anything that might cause discolouration.
How can we help?
At City Smiles, we offer teeth whitening treatments that improve the shade of the teeth and the overall appearance of one’s smile. If you have noticed discolouration and stains on the surface of your teeth, you might benefit from a whitening treatment. We encourage you to come in and see us so that we can perform a dental assessment — this will help us to determine the cause of the stains before we recommend a treatment suited to your situation. To find out more about the teeth whitening treatments at City Smiles and how they work, please have a look here.
We also encourage our patients to come in and see us for regular check-ups and cleans. Professional dental cleans can remove stains from the teeth, and also help to maintain overall oral health. If you would like to find out more about what to expect at your dental check-up and clean, please have a look here.
If you would like to arrange a consultation with us, please book an appointment online or give us a call on 03 9654 6979. We look forward to welcoming you to our practice in Melbourne.
