Coffee is one of the most common drinks to be consumed worldwide after water, and there is no doubt about it. In addition, the versatility of this beverage makes it easier to be prepared and supplied worldwide, making it a household commodity.
For most of us, coffee is the first thing we consume each morning. But a common query that most coffee lovers have is – “Does coffee stain your teeth.” Well, yes, it does. So, let’s look into it more clearly and learn the ways to prevent getting your teeth stained while enjoying a cup of coffee.
Coffee as a Stainer of Your Teeth
Coffee has been identified as a strong teeth stainer among the multiple beverages available to us today. Just like chewing betel leaf and tobacco stains make teeth reddish or brownish, constant intake of coffee can produce a yellow tint.
Does Coffee Make Your Teeth Yellow?
Experts in this field will always answer the question of does coffee make your teeth yellow in the affirmative. If you are sure that you are not suffering from any dental hygiene issues such as plague, it is ideal for you to check your coffee consumption.
Now, the question is, why does coffee stain teeth. The reason for this is the biochemical reaction occurring in our mouths once we consume our regular cup of coffee.
Coffee is known to consist of an organic element known as tannins. Coffee is generally acidic, and along with tannins, it reacts with the water compounds in your mouth and causes the color to settle on your teeth. Tannins are naturally rich in color and a naturally-occurring dye; thus, there is no question that it actively reacts with our teeth.
If you are wondering does black coffee stain teeth only or even milky coffee will react the same way, the answer to that is pretty simple. Coffee and other similar beverages such as tea are high in tannins and will work to make that pearly smile of your duller regardless of how it is consumed.
Coffee Tooth Stain vs Cavity
Now that you have realized the answer to the popular question of does coffee stain your teeth is a yes, and it indeed adds a distinguishable stain to your teeth, an essential factor in understanding is the differentiation between coffee stain and cavity.
How to Identify Coffee Stain on Your teeth?
If you don’t know the differentiating factors of tooth stain and cavity, you will likely get confused between the two. For example, coffee stains are more yellowish and can be visible if you have two or three cups of coffee simultaneously.
What Does a Cavity Look Like?
The tooth cavity is entirely different visually from than coffee stain. It can be found in various colors, such as black, brown, or grey spots.
The most important distinguishing factor of identifying a cavity is the constant toothache and irritation. As the cavity affects the deeper enamel of your teeth, it is more likely to cause you discomfort than harmless tooth stains.
How to Remove Coffee Stains from Teeth
Our smiles or teeth are an important aspect of our appearance and, more often than not, play a sly role in how people perceive us. And there is no doubt that yellow, dull teeth give a terrible impression of you. So, here are some tips on how to remove coffee stains from teeth effortlessly.
Brushing with Teeth-Whitening Toothpaste
The most reliable way of eliminating that stain from your teeth is by brushing it with a mild whitening toothpaste. However, if you rush to brush, you might trigger a reaction that can lead to the corrosion of the upper layer of your teeth, thus wait for a few minutes.
Eat Watery Foods While You Drink
If you are in a public situation and find it difficult to brush your teeth, this alternative is the best for you. To manage brown coffee stains on teeth, it is suggested that you consume some food along with your coffee. It can be something simple like cookies or munchies.
But it is recommended to go for something watery such as apples and cucumbers. The logic behind this is to increase saliva production in your mouth through chewing, thus, inhibiting the staining process.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
The staining process has its differences, where for someone cup of coffee makes their teeth yellow, whereas, for others, this is not the case. In case you are someone whose teeth are visibly yellow after your coffee, a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is the go-to remedy for you.
So, follow the steps given below to regain your pearly white smile.
- Step 1 – Take a spoonful of baking soda and add it to a bowl.
- Step 2 – In the same bowl, add two spoonfuls of hydrogen peroxide.
- Step 3 – Whip it quickly into a paste and apply it to your teeth with a brush.
- Step 4 – Rinse your mouth thoroughly, and voila! You are good to go.
How to Prevent Coffee from Staining Teeth?
If you’re wondering how to drink coffee without staining teeth, we would like to quickly brush you through some effective methods to prevent coffee staining.
- If you are looking for a coffee that doesn’t stain teeth, then it is recommended to opt for either a decaf coffee brand or make yourself some cold brew.
- If you are outdoors and want to prevent staining, go for a straw rather than generically sipping the coffee.
- Use an electronic toothbrush to brush your teeth efficaciously. Along with this, add flossing and mouthwash to your dental hygiene regime.
- Don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly and keep a check on your teeth.
Final Thoughts
Coffee is a basic necessity for many of us, and teeth staining through it can cause a real problem, especially in the long run. Therefore, it is advised to keep all the information regarding how to prevent coffee from staining teeth in your mind and save yourself the trouble of embarrassing yourself with yellow, dull teeth.
We hope this article was helpful for you, and all the doubts on does coffee stain your teeth has been resolved!
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