Lots of people who drink coffee end up with stained teeth. If you drink coffee, whether instant or from a coffee machine, you probably don't want to end up the same way. Well, not to worry, because we've put together the following list of top tips. Read on and learn!
Will drinking coffee through a straw stop it staining my teeth?
You might have seen TikToks claiming that drinking coffee through a straw will prevent if from staining your teeth. There is a certain logic behind this- after all, if you sip straight from a cup, then the liquid will normally go through your teeth. In practise, though, using a straw is unlikely to make much of a difference. Unless you're putting the end of the straw practically in your throat, the coffee will still go in your mouth.
Rinse your mouth out!
Brushing your teeth after drinking coffee might sound like it will help, but it can actually make things worse. Coffee is slightly acidic, so when you drink it, it softens the enamel on your teeth. If you brush too soon afterwards while the enamel is too soft, you could end up stripping it away. This ultimately makes the material of your teeth more porous, and therefore more likely to end up stained.
Instead, an easy way to fight stains is to take a sip of water for every mouthful of coffee you drink. It's not going to do any damage to your enamel, but it can help to wash away some of that coffee residue that's left behind.
For the same reason as not brushing straight after drinking coffee, you should avoid using teeth whitening strips until a while afterwards, too.
So just how do I avoid coffee stains on my teeth?
The best way to avoid coffee stains on your teeth is to limit how much coffee you drink in the first place. For many people, chain-drinking cups of coffee is more out of habit than anything else. If you're a four-a-day type of person, then cutting out just one cup will reduce your risk of staining your teeth by 25%.
Flossing can also be a big help. If you don't floss, then plaque will quickly start to build up in the space between your teeth. This material is much more porous than your actual teeth, and will therefore hold those stains much more easily.
Finally, make sure that you get your six-month check-ups with your dentist. As part of this, they'll clean your teeth professionally, and remove any built-up plaque. They should also be able to offer a teeth whitening service if you ask for it (although you'll have to pay for it).