Every Dentist Needs Your Help Keeping Your Teeth Healthy

If you drink coffee regularly, your teeth may be more discolored than those of people who don't drink the dark beverage. As you drink coffee, the deep pigments that give the drink its brown color are absorbed by the pores of your teeth. Over time, as these pigments build up, your teeth become more stained. The warmth of the liquid also contributes to the ready absorption by your teeth. Nevertheless, you may want your teeth to remain white. There are multiple ways to help minimize the amount of staining suffered by your teeth as you drink coffee. Here are a few measures you can take to help keep your teeth their whitest even if you don't plan to give up coffee:

Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after you drink.

When you are done with a cup of coffee, rinse your mouth with water. As the pigments of the coffee start to deposit into your tooth enamel, if they are diluted and rinsed away before they are fully absorbed by your teeth, they are less likely to be deeply stained.

At home, you can simply use water from your tap. It is apt to be fluoridated, so it also offers your teeth the benefit of making them less prone to damage from acid exposure. If you are at work when you drink the majority of your coffee, simply keep a bottle of water at your desk or workstation. Rinsing only takes a few seconds, so it is unlikely to affect your productivity.

Chew whitening gum.

Some gum claims to have whitening benefits. These gum variations may use slightly abrasive substances, such as baking soda or titanium dioxide, to help gently polish stains from the teeth. By chewing whitening gum between cups of coffee, you can help keep discoloration at bay.

In addition to using polishing agents within the gum, some varieties even use dissolving substances, such as malic acid. This substance, which is a natural component of strawberries and vinegar, helps dissolve dental discoloration, so it can be more easily removed.

Brush with a baking soda-peroxide mixture.

Before you brush your teeth with your usual toothpaste, brush with a mixture of baking soda and peroxide. The peroxide is a natural bleaching agent due to its oxygenating power, and the baking soda is a great tooth polisher. To use the mixture, combine enough peroxide with the baking soda to form a loose paste. Apply it to your toothbrush and brush as usual.

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