It’s 7AM, your alarm is blaring, and you crack open your crusted-over lids, totally unprepared for the start of a new day. The only thing to rouse you out of bed is the sweet, bitter promise of a hot mug of coffee, guaranteed to perk you right up and send you on your way. But, wait, your teeth have been looking a little dull lately… well, coffee-lover, rejoice! For we have the tips and tricks to refresh those pearly whites and get that smile back on its A-Game!
(Unless you can’t do without the stuff, of course). Studies show that lightening up your morning brew with milk won’t actually save your teeth from those harmful stains you’ve been dreading. Just like how chugging a glass of milk isn’t a magical cure-all for healthy, white teeth, dousing your coffee in cream does nothing except introduce your mouth to an overload of sugar, which just so happens to be the quickest way to a whole host of oral problems. If you can do without, then skip it!
What doesn’t touch your teeth can’t stain it. While the answer is obvious, it isn’t the preferred way to enjoy your morning mug: chug! The unfortunate reality is that the longer you drink, the more of the good stuff you’re passing through those chompers, so the idea is to get it done and over with as quick as you can. Not a fan of drinking your coffee like a shot? Invest in a straw and slurp it down! Hey, technically it isn’t touching your teeth if it goes straight down your throat.
You’ll be tempted to brush yourself silly, but your enamel is weakest right after we eat or drink. Instead, reach for the mouthwash and swish your heart out – it’ll help with the staining and take care of that nasty coffee breath. Score! And if you find yourself in a mouthwash-less situation, feel free to swish your mouth out with a little bit of water. It’s definitely better than letting those dregs of coffee sit between your teeth!
Look, the market is saturated with oral products offering to whiten your teeth through daily use. Teeth-staining is a part of normal life, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. As long as you’re brushing and flossing every day, your teeth are just fine. Talk to your dentist about what products you should be using, and if you have a few extra bucks laying around, you can always get them professionally whitened.
Above all, enjoy your coffee!