How To Protect Your Teeth From Coffee Stains

If you regularly drink coffee, you may be worried about stains affecting your bright gleaming smile. According to Healthline, drinking just one cup per day is enough to make the white color disappear. They further reveal that the discoloration is caused by the fact that coffee is rich in tannins, which cause color compounds to attach to your teeth and turn them yellow in the process. Additionally, coffee can weaken your enamel and even increase the risk of gum disease over time, warns Lakewood Smiles Dentistry.

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Physics explored whether the level of roasting of the coffee beans affected discoloration. They experimented with 18 teeth immersed in varying roasted coffee bean solutions for a course of 30 to 60 hours. However, the scientists didn't discover any link between teeth stains and smoke disposal during coffee bean roasting. Luckily, these stains are not permanent and can be removed by using whitening toothpaste or applying legit home remedies.

According to Healthline, you may want to brush at least two times a month with a pinch of baking soda. It works as a natural teeth whitener.

You'll definitely want to brush your teeth after drinking coffee — but not immediately. According to Dawson Dental, acidic drinks like coffee soften the enamel and make them susceptible to damage. So if you brush right after, you risk damaging the natural enamel covering your teeth. Instead, they recommend waiting for half an hour to give time for the enamel to harden. In the meantime, be sure to rinse thoroughly with water.

Healthline also suggests switching to an electric toothbrush, because it's more powerful and applies more strength in brushing off the stains, per Dawson Dental. Additionally, you may want to consider sipping coffee through a straw, as this limits coffee exposure to the tooth enamel.