Coffee after Teeth Whitening

Dec 19, 2020 @ 08:52 AM — by Alex Hecht

Stained, yellowed teeth can make even the most beautiful smile look unhealthy. Fortunately, dental discoloration can usually be treated with teeth whitening. This procedure effectively eliminates extrinsic stains, making your smile appear dramatically brighter.

One of the most common tooth staining agents is coffee. For this reason, many coffee drinkers routinely undergo teeth whitening treatment. While you can still drink coffee after teeth whitening, there are a few tips and tricks you can follow to maintain your results. Staten Island, NY dentists Jason and Alex Hecht explain why coffee stains your teeth and offer some recommendations for optimal teeth whitening results.

How Drinking Coffee after Teeth Whitening Affects Your Smile

There are plenty of dark-colored foods and beverages that stain the teeth, but coffee is among the most common. Over time, coffee leads to dental discoloration – especially if you drink more than one cup every day. To keep your smile looking great for as long as possible, there are some things you should take into account.

When Can I Drink Coffee Again after Teeth Whitening?

If you drink coffee regularly, it can be difficult to go without it, even for a little while. But for best results, our Staten Island, NY team recommends that patients avoid coffee (and other staining agents) for at least 48 hours after their teeth whitening treatment. This is because the bleaching gel makes the enamel temporarily more porous. As a result, there is a higher risk of staining. After approximately 48 hours, the enamel is remineralized by your saliva. At this point, it is much safer to consume coffee.

Tips to Maintain a Brighter, Whiter Smile

There are other tips and tricks to help you reduce discoloration and enjoy your bright, white smile for longer. Our team recommends that patients:

Drink coffee through a straw. When consuming coffee (or any other dark-colored beverage), sip it through a straw. This minimizes the amount of time that the liquid contacts the teeth, and consequently reduces resulting stains.
Swish with water immediately after drinking coffee. This helps neutralize acids and reduce staining. This is especially helpful when you do not have access to your toothbrush.
Brush your teeth after 30 minutes. Brushing is always a good way to remove harmful sugars and cavity-causing bacteria. However, the acids from the coffee can temporarily soften your enamel, so brushing too soon can actually be detrimental to your oral health.
Follow your dentist’s recommendations for touch-ups. Your dentist may recommend at-home touch-up treatments to maintain the brightness of your new smile. You can also use a whitening toothpaste. Just be sure to ask our team for product recommendations.
Schedule routine dental exams and cleanings. Be sure to visit your dentist regularly to keep your teeth and gums healthy and beautiful.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Have you been thinking about teeth whitening to enhance the appearance of your smile? If so, schedule a consultation at our Staten Island, NY, dental practice. Contact us online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also call our office at (718) 705-4434.