Dental Trends of the Future: Leaving the Past Behind

If coffee is a staple of your day, you may think that you're doing irreparable harm to your teeth by drinking it and that there's nothing you can do to lessen the impact that it has. Fortunately, there are a few ways to minimize the impact that drinking coffee has on your teeth.

Don't Sip Throughout the Day

The lesst amount of time that you spend throughout the day consuming your coffee, the better off your teeth will be.

While your tooth enamel is the strongest substance in your body, it's porous, meaning that coffee and other staining substances, such as tea and wine, can make their way in and set up shop. While cutting out coffee would be best overall, it's not always a workable solution. Instead, you may have to compromise by shortening the time period in which you drink your coffee or decreasing the amount of coffee you drink daily.

Know the Dos and Don'ts of After-Coffee Care

To minimize the impact that coffee has on your teeth, it's important to know how to care for your teeth immediately following your daily cup of Joe.

Rinsing your mouth out with water immediately after finishing can reduce the amount of time that stains have to settle and decrease the overall staining. While brushing is advised, it's important, however, to wait at least 30 minutes. This is because coffee is highly acidic, and brushing too soon could lead to enamel removal. This would leave your teeth more vulnerable to staining and decay.

Have Your Teeth Whitened

If the stains on your teeth are becoming too much to ignore, consider having your teeth professionally whitened.

Whitening is a common cosmetic procedure that can brighten your smile and lessen the guilt you feel over your love of coffee. Teeth whitening isn't a permanent solution, but the length of time that it will last for you will depend on a number of factors, including what you eat and how much staining is present. There are a number of options available, including whitening toothpastes, whitening strips, and even whitening trays. If you'd rather let a professional handle the procedure, you can have your teeth whitened by a cosmetic dentist. With all of the whitening options available, you no longer have to worry about coffee-related staining.

To learn more about keeping your teeth healthy and stain free, or to find out if teeth whitening is right for you, contact Elk Plaza Dental or a similar location.