Ol’ Yellow Teeth is Back… Caffeine Stains and Teeth

If you’re an avid coffee, tea, or cola drinker, you may have noticed a similar theme amongst your light-colored mugs or cups – over time, they start to look a little yellowish around the insides, no matter how many times you clean them. And oddly enough, the stronger the detergent you use, the dingier the mugs seem to become…

Looked in the mirror lately? Unfortunately, that delicious coffee or tea you drink every morning is doing the same thing to your teeth. Caffeinated beverages, including colas, will cause a stain buildup on your teeth that can be difficult to get rid of – and are nearly impossible to fully prevent. There are some precautions you can take to ensure minimal stain buildup, without cutting out your beloved caffeine completely.

Brush After Every Meal –

Yes, it’s cliché. Yes, it takes time. And yes, it actually works. If you get in the habit of brushing your teeth after you have a coffee or tea, stains will be less likely to form. Of course, this isn’t always possible – for example, if you’re at work and tend to drink several cups per day. Aside from brushing after your lunch break, keep a bottle of water handy at your desk, and take a swig after you’ve had a coffee. Swirl it around in your mouth a bit before swallowing; this will help somewhat to remove excess residue. It’ll also help keep your breath fresh, which every coffee drinker tends to need…

Floss, Floss, Floss –

Flossing will actually help to prevent stains, as unlikely as it seems. If you’re drinking coffee or tea with cream and sugar, this is especially important to keep in mind. Flossing between the teeth will help to prevent plaque buildup, eliminating the potential stains that the plaque will leave. Try to do this once, if not twice, every day.

Have a Crunchy Snack –

Sounds a little unconventional, doesn’t it? But having a small bag of carrots or celery for a snack after your coffee or tea will actually help reduce the risk of staining. The water-based content of these vegetables will subtly help to rub away stains from between your teeth, as well as dislodge any other food that might be hiding around there.

Drink Cooler Coffee –

If you just cringed, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, it’s the truth: the hotter your coffee is, the more likely it’s going to stain your teeth. Why? Because very hot beverages can cause miniscule fractures on your teeth that staining components sit in, staining your teeth. Even just a few degrees cooler will make a difference, and will be safer for your mouth in the long run.

Clean Carefully –

While it may seem like the vast array of whitening products was invented just for you and your yellowing mouth… think again. A lot of those products will do you more harm than good, so it’s a good idea to consult your dentist if you’re wondering which ones are alright for you. Things like whitening tooth polishes are to be avoided – although they may provide a quick fix, the way they’re doing it is by scraping off the stain… which is also scraping off your enamel… and the thinner your enamel gets, the more something called ‘dentin’ shows through. Dentin is actually a darker part of your tooth, normally hidden under the white enamel. So, if you’re tempted to use an abrasive or a harsher toothpaste, don’t. Ask your dentist about professional whitening instead!

As much as you want to get rid of those caffeine stains, be gentle on your teeth! Your best solution really is to talk to your dentist, since he’ll know which products are safe for you to use, without needing to give up your beloved beverages. It’s unrealistic to ask any coffee or tea drinker to eliminate caffeinated drinks from their diet – it simply isn’t going to happen. Instead, try to incorporate these tips into your daily regimen, and get ready to say hello to a whiter smile AND your morning coffee.

Did you know there exist 5 different types of espresso machines? To compare them, see the Espresso Machine Chart.