Can I Drink Coffee after Teeth Whitening?
Yellow, stained teeth are a common concern. Fortunately, this condition can often be treated with teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is an effective treatment to lift years of dental discoloration, dramatically and quickly transforming the appearance of the smile.
Coffee is notorious for staining the teeth, making teeth whitening treatment popular for those who regularly drink coffee. After teeth whitening, many coffee lovers wonder if they have to give up coffee to maintain their results.
Here, Drs. Brian Bell and Justin Crocker give tips for enjoying coffee after undergoing teeth whitening at our Lake Jackson, TX dental practice.
Drinking Coffee after Teeth Whitening
Coffee, and any dark colored foods and drinks that can stain fabric, are also likely to stain the teeth. Many people who choose to have their teeth professionally whitened have spent years drinking one or more cups of coffee a day. Continuing this habit without making certain changes can lead to dental discoloration.
In order to preserve your whitening results, it's important to take steps when drinking coffee to reduce the likelihood of staining.
How Soon Can I Drink Coffee after Teeth Whitening?
Coffee can be enjoyed after whitening treatment, but it's recommended that our Lake Jackson patients wait at least 48 hours after treatment before drinking coffee or consuming any dark food or beverage that could stain the teeth.
It's important to wait at least 48 hours after teeth whitening treatment before drinking coffee because teeth whitening treatment can leave the outer layer of the teeth, the enamel, porous and more vulnerable to absorbing stains. After 48 hours, the saliva typically remineralizes the enamel, making it less porous, as it was before treatment.
Tips to Prevent Coffee Stains after Teeth Whitening
In addition to waiting 48 hours after treatment to begin drinking coffee again, there are other ways to reduce the risk of coffee stains and maintain whitening results. Making the following changes to your coffee drinking habits can help prevent stains and keep the teeth looking their brightest white:
- Drink coffee in moderation: The more coffee you drink, the more likely your teeth will stain. One of the best ways to reduce the risk of dental stains is to limit the amount of coffee you drink. If you have more than two cups a day, consider limiting it to one cup in the morning.
- Use a straw: When drinking coffee or other dark beverages, using a straw can help reduce contact with the teeth. By reducing contact with the teeth, coffee is less likely to stain them. If drinking hot coffee from a mug with a straw isn't appealing, consider using a travel thermos with a straw.
- Brush after drinking coffee: Another way to reduce stains is to brush the teeth after drinking coffee. This will remove any residual coffee from the teeth and prevent staining. With that said, it is best to wait about 30 minutes before brushing as the acid in coffee can temporarily soften the enamel.
- Rinse with water after drinking coffee: Rinsing the mouth and teeth with water after drinking coffee can also help reduce staining and neutralize acids found in coffee. Rinsing with water is a good idea when unable to brush the teeth or while waiting to brush the teeth after drinking coffee.
- Use a whitening toothpaste: Using a whitening toothpaste in between professional whitening treatments can help maintain whitening results and reduce coffee stains on the teeth.
Schedule a Consultation
For more tips on maintaining results after whitening treatment, or to find out if you're a candidate for teeth whitening, we welcome you to schedule a consultation at our practice in Lake Jackson by calling (979) 297-1201.