Can coffee stain your teeth?

Certain foods and drinks can cause stains and discolouration on the teeth.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning — in fact, many of us can’t start our day without a caffeine boost. Unfortunately, like many other foods and drinks, coffee can cause stain on the surface of the teeth. Read on to find out what you can do about stains and discolouration if you’ve noticed their effect on your smile…

How can you get rid of coffee stains?

While certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea and red wine can cause stains on the surface of the teeth, the good news is that there are ways in which the issue can be resolved. In some cases, stains can be removed with a professional dental cleaning. For this reason, it is important that you see your dentist for regular check-ups and cleans.

Another effective treatment that can be helpful in getting rid of stains and discolouration is teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening treatments are a popular cosmetic treatment because they usually achieve excellent results and leave the teeth looking much brighter and whiter than before.

How can you prevent coffee stain on teeth?     

If you are really concerned about coffee stains on your teeth, it can be helpful to cut back on your daily consumption of the beverage. If you can, try and stick to one cup a day and rinse your mouth with water afterwards. Brush your teeth around half an hour after finishing your coffee if you can — coffee is quite acidic, so brushing your teeth too soon after drinking it can weaken your enamel and lead to stains.  

It’s also a good idea to have your coffee without sugar — sugar speeds up the growth of bacteria in the mouth, which can lead to discolouration. If you enjoy the occasional iced coffee, use a straw when you drink it as this reduces exposure to the drink, and decreases the risk of stains.

What else causes stains?     

Besides coffee, there are a number of other foods and drinks that can cause stains to form on the teeth. These include red wine; highly pigmented berries and fruits like blueberries, blackberries, cranberries and pomegranates; dark sauces like tomato sauce, curry and soy; sports drinks and black tea.

How can we help?    

Professor Jim Ironside and his team offer Zoom! whitening, which requires two appointments. At the first appointment, you will have a check-up and clean and Professor Ironside will assess your oral health to make sure that the whitening process suits your particular needs.

If you are suited to the teeth whitening treatment, you will be asked to come in for a follow-up appointment. At this time, a rubber dam is placed to protect your gums, and a specially formulated whitening gel is applied to your teeth and activated with a blue LED light. Once your treatment is complete, you can expect your teeth to look eight to ten shades lighter, and any stains should no longer be visible.   

If you would like to make an appointment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Professor Jim Ironside offers a range of cosmetic dentistry services, which are designed to improve the appearance of the teeth, as well as improve their long-term function. For a full list of the cosmetic treatments available at Ironside Advanced Dental, please have a look here.