For many people coffee and tea are as essential as the air we breath. Their mornings just cannot start without a little zip from the caffeine. As wonderful as these drinks make us feel, our teeth don’t enjoy them quite as much as we do. If consumed often enough, coffee and tea can leave stains on your teeth making them look dull and dirty. Fortunately there are ways to maintain your pearly whites without sacrificing your favorite caffeinated beverages! Below are some tips from our Port Washington Dental Team to help keep your teeth pearly white!

Brush Your Teeth More Often

This may sound like a no-brainer, but dentists confirm that brushing your teeth immediately after you drink coffee or tea can help reduce stains tremendously. You should brush before and after your morning beverage of choice, and again in the afternoon if you decide to imbibe. Use a toothpaste that is designed to whiten your teeth. The more often you brush, the better chance you have at keeping your teeth sparkly white.

Use a Straw

Let’s be clear here, this advice should only be followed if you are drinking a cold beverage. Do NOT drink warm beverages through a straw as you run the risk of burning your throat. If you drink iced beverages through a straw, your teeth don’t have as much contact with the liquids, and reduces your chances of staining. Combine this tip with regular brushing for extra protection.

Rinse and Repeat

Chasing your favorite caffeinated beverage with a big old glass of water can help keep your teeth looking their best. Drinking water immediately after consuming your latte can help rinse away the compounds in these popular caffeinated beverages that discolor your teeth. If you don’t have access to your tooth brush after drinking that afternoon latte, keep a small bottle of mouth wash with you.

Go to the Dentist Regularly

Keeping up with regular teeth cleanings will help keep your teeth white as snow. You should strive to follow your dentist’s advice and floss your teeth as often as you can. Practicing good oral hygiene is important to making sure your mouth is as healthy as possible, and a bright white smile is a happy by-product of that!

Get Your Teeth Whitened

If the stains get out of hand, talk to your dentist about having a cosmetic teeth whitening procedure. Our team of wonderful dentists can help you decide if this procedure is right for you. Teeth whitening is a safe and painless process. Your dentist will use a special type of bleach that is designed to get rid of those pesky dark spots. The procedure is relatively quick and you can expect to be in and out of our office within a couple of hours!

We can also help you decide if at-home whitening trays are a good option for you. These trays will produce good results, but take much longer than in-office procedures. Whichever option you chose, remember that it is very possible to have a dazzling smile without giving up your daily caramel macchiato!