Espresso and latte lovers, this one’s for you!

While all those warm Americanos and frozen caramel macchiatos may be your drink of choice in the morning — or any time of day — they aren’t so sweet on the teeth.

Not to be a buzzkill for your caffeinated dreams, but any form or fashion of coffee can stain your teeth. What’s more, coffee is often highly acidic which can break down your tooth enamel over time.

But not to fear: We aren’t here to take your cappuccino away. That said, we will equip you with some advice to keep your teeth in tip-top shape while you’re sipping away. Here are our top three tips that we tell all our coffee-drinking patients at SMILE Advanced Dental Center. (Tea drinkers: Keep these in mind, too!)

First coffee, then brushing.

Did you know that tooth enamel has microscopic indentations and ridges? Better known as the infamous collectors of dark pigments from coffee, these indentations and ridges are what contribute to staining and discoloration on the surface of your teeth.

Giving your teeth a quick brush with your favorite whitening toothpaste immediately after you finish your coffee order is one of the best ways to prevent those stains from settling in — and brush that acidic residue away.

Don’t want to carry a toothbrush and toothpaste everywhere you go? You can find disposable teeth wipes that are a good compromise for social situations; they easily fit in wallets and small handbags, too!

Grab a straw.

Now, we know some coffee orders are better suited to the straw life than others. Drinking those fancy whipped-cream-topped coffee creations through a straw is probably business-as-usual for you, but it might be an adjustment to add a straw to your regular cup of Joe.

But it is an indisputable fact that straws reduce the amount of exposure of coffee to the surface of your teeth. It’s a small thing that can add up to a big difference, cup by cup every day.

Drink water. 

While staying hydrated is always good for your health, drinking some water immediately after you finish your coffee can diminish the staining potential of that caffeine kick. 

Even better, actually rinsing your mouth out with water can help further move that coffee residue off your teeth — especially if you don’t have your toothbrush or teeth wipes handy.

Extra credit — bring in the experts!

Our final tip for bonus points is to pay SMILE Advanced Dental Center a visit to troubleshoot pesky coffee stains. After all, if you’ve tried to DIY your way to a whiter, brighter smile, you may have realized the frustration of failing short of the desired result — while sinking time and money into testing the latest strips, pastes, and gels.

Our team provides simple and effective professional teeth whitening that can get you the results you desire — often in just one visit to our Summerville, SC office. Available as both an in-office treatment and a take-home system, our teeth whitening uses powerful yet safe methods to minimize the appearance of stains, discoloration, and yellowing.

Our dentists work with your unique smile to determine the right type of treatment and treatment length to achieve the aesthetic you desire.

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While kicking coffee to the curb may be out of the question for you, there are still ways you can have your coffee and drink it, too — without compromising your white smile. Contact SMILE Advanced Dental Center in Summerville, SC, at 843-873-1261 to schedule a teeth whitening consultation.