Why Coffee and Wine Are Secretly Destroying Your Teeth (And How to Stop It)

It’s time for coffee and wine!

Adulthood comes with its own set of traditions. That commute to work, the semi-regular evening where you complain about bills, the way you sit on the porch to enjoy your morning coffee, and of course, winding down with a glass of wine at the end of the day. Now, the stress related to bills can’t really be avoided, and we might not be able to help you with the commute to work, but we have some things to say about the coffee and wine. Did you know that these everyday drinks can dull your smile? Often, the staining happens so gradually, most people won’t even notice until it’s too late.

Hold on, don’t run off on us. We aren’t saying you need to stop drinking them entirely, but there are some ways you can enjoy your favorite drinks while limiting the damage to your smile.

Why Coffee and Wine Stain Your Teeth

So why exactly do our favorite drinks stain our teeth? Wine and coffee are naturally dark pigmented, which creates a whole slew of issues. The dark pigments cling to the teeth and stain the enamel underneath. But that’s not the only issue. The acids in these drinks can be damaging to the enamel itself. Without anything there to stop it, your favorite morning coffee could be eating away at the enamel, opening you up to cavities and even worse staining. In fact, over time, your teeth will become more prone to staining because of those acids.

Signs Your Teeth Are Becoming Stained

The staining to your teeth happens gradually. In fact, it’s rather common that a person wakes up one day, looks in the mirror, and realizes their teeth aren’t nearly as pearly white as they once were. Staining naturally happens as we age, but if you enjoy your daily coffee and wine ritual, this staining can happen faster.

If you’re dealing with staining from your favorite drinks, you might notice a yellowing or darkening of the teeth. Often, this color pattern will appear uneven, or even make your smile look dull.

Habits That Make Staining Worse

There are a few things that make your dental staining worse. If you find yourself sipping coffee throughout the day, you’re constantly exposing your enamel to those acids and pigments instead of getting it all over at once. If you don’t brush your teeth properly, this can also contribute to staining. As a reminder, it’s suggested that you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time with a fluoride toothpaste. And don’t forget to floss at least once a day!

You also can’t forget those dental cleanings. Skipping them puts you on the fast track to a dingy smile. These cleanings help keep buildup from forming where your toothbrush can’t quite reach. They also enable the staff at Sensational Smiles to keep an eye out for any issues before they get out of hand.

How to Reduce Staining Without Giving Up Your Favorites

Don’t worry, we have some good news for you. Sure, the best way to prevent staining from coffee and wine is by avoiding these drinks altogether, but there are some things you can do to reduce the staining and still enjoy your morning brew.

After you drink your steaming mug of coffee or your chilled glass of wine, grab that water! Not only will this help limit the staining by removing the acids from the surface of your teeth, but it will also help keep your body hydrated. This is important for oral health as it keeps a happy balance of saliva in your mouth. After all, saliva is the mouth’s natural defense against bacteria.

Did you know that using a straw can help limit the staining caused from wine and coffee too? The idea is simple.Using a straw helps eliminate the contact the staining drinks can have with your teeth.

One of the best ways is by maintaining your brushing and professional cleaning schedule. Without a good oral care routine, your teeth won’t stand a chance at avoiding staining and discoloration.

When Stains Don’t Go Away

Sometimes, the staining on your teeth won’t go away after you brush your teeth. Don’t worry, the team at Sensational Smiles has ways to help you. With the help of cosmetic dentistry, specifically tooth whitening, you can get your smile back on track in no time. You can always contact us to create a personalized gameplan to achieve a pristine smile.

Those traditions are part of us.

We’re not out to make you quit that coffee habit. Sometimes those traditions are just a part of us! You can still enjoy your daily coffee and wine and still maintain your smile with the right habits. To help keep your teeth on track, don’t forget to keep those regular dental visits on the calendar! If you don’t have your next one on there yet, request one today!