Coffee and Wine After Teeth Whitening
Coffee and red wine are two major culprits when it comes to tooth discoloration. Thankfully the stains caused by these beverages can be removed thanks to teeth whitening treatment. It’s one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures at our Bloomington, IL dental practice.
Patients often ask us if they can still experience stained teeth after teeth whitening. Dr. Jay W. Chrisman and Dr. David D. Wyse would like to address this question and offer some tips on how to keep your smile as bright and white as possible.
How Teeth Whitening Works
During teeth whitening treatment, a bleaching agent is applied to the enamel surface of the teeth. This bleaching agent whitens the actual tooth surface rather than removing the stains per se. In the process, the stains are bleached away and the overall color of the tooth is brightened and lightened.
Can Teeth Be Stained After Teeth Whitening?
Yes.
Just because you’ve had your teeth whitening doesn’t mean that your smile is now stain resistant. The same substances that caused tooth discoloration in the past can still lead to problems with the appearance of your teeth. That goes for tobacco products, natural wear and tear, and beverages such as coffee and red wine.
This is something we stress to all of our Bloomington teeth whitening patients, and why we also offer patients advice on how to prevent stains after they’ve undergone a professional bleaching treatment.
Tips for Avoiding Stains When Drinking Coffee
If you want to avoid stains while still having a cup of coffee, consider the following advice:
- Add Milk to Your Coffee - A splash of milk won’t just cut the acidity of your coffee, it will also reduce its stain-causing potential. It doesn’t matter if you use whole, skim, soy, almond, or oat milk.
- Drink Iced Coffee with a Straw - If you’re having iced coffee, use a drinking straw to bypass your front teeth. It’s surprising how something so simple can make a major difference when it comes to the appearance of your smile.
- Have a Cup of Water with Your Coffee - Having some water handy can help you rinse off some of the coffee on your teeth, which prevents serious staining.
- Brush Your Teeth 30 Minutes Later - Wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth after having coffee to remove any residue that causes tooth discoloration. This ensures the tooth enamel isn’t softened by the acidity of the coffee.
Tips for Avoiding Stains When Drinking Wine
If you want to avoid stains while still enjoying a glass of wine, consider the following advice:
- Consider White Wine - White wine will still cause some tooth discoloration, but it won’t be as pronounced as red wine. Consider white wine every now and then to help avoid serious staining.
- Have a Glass of Water to Rinse - Having some water to swish in your mouth can help remove the residue of red wine from your teeth, which can reduce the degree of discoloration.
- Brush Your Teeth 30 Minutes Later - As with coffee, wait 30 minutes after having wine to clean the stain-causing residue away.
Touch-Up Teeth Whitening to Brighten Your Smile
Since teeth are bound to become discolored again later in life, do not worry. You can return to our Bloomington dental practice for a touch-up whitening procedure. Periodic teeth whitening can make a major difference when it comes to the long-term beauty of your smile.
Speak with Our Skilled Cosmetic Dentists
For more information about teeth whitening and how to keep your smile looking its brightest, be sure to contact our skilled cosmetic and restorative dentists. The team at Chrisman & Wyse can be reached by phone at (309) 663-6393.