Coffee, Wine, and Soda—Oh My: How To Indulge Without Staining Your Teeth
What do coffee, wine, and dark sodas all have in common? Aside from being delicious, that is. All three top the (fairly long) list of foods and drinks that can bring staining your teeth. Having a winning smile is great, but not at the expense of everything that brings you joy.
Kate Moss once infamously said, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” Is there a dental hygiene equivalent?
Not necessarily! With sensible precautions and adherence to best practices, you can enjoy foods and beverages known for staining your smile without repercussions.
The Straw Method
One way that people avoid staining their teeth with dark beverages is by using a straw. Obviously, the extent to which this will work depends on the beverage. Soda? Sure. It’s normal enough to drink soda through a straw. Cold-brew coffee? Absolutely. It’s par for the course.
Hot coffee? Nope. Not hot coffee. Probably not wine either, unless you want to be known as an eccentric.
The benefit of the straw is that it cuts out most of the direct contact between the beverage and your teeth.
It’s a pretty easy tip to implement with the right beverage. Don’t feel compelled to stretch yourself, though. You don’t need to start carrying straws in your pockets to slurp down red wine whenever the occasion presents itself.
There are other ways to take care of your teeth that don’t involve—you know. Social ostracization.
Eat Crunchy Foods
Some people will pair their dark drink indulgences with crunchy food. This doesn’t need to mean chips or nuts. It could be fruits and vegetables with a little bit of crunch to them. Apples. Celery. Carrots.
These foods help scrub the surface of your teeth as you chew. Crunchy foods stimulate saliva production. More spit means less staining on your teeth. Saliva naturally washes away pigments before they have a chance to settle. It’s an easy habit that makes a difference.
Wash Your Mouth Out
Similar in theory to the last tip. Swishing water around in your mouth can help reduce the presence of staining agents on your teeth. Think about the surface of your teeth the way you might any other pigment in your home.
We all know that spills are easiest to treat in the moments immediately after they happen. So it is with exposure to darker food and drink pigments.
A quick rinse washes away residue before it settles. You don’t need to get totally obsessive. Just take advantage of the simple steps that can reduce staining.
Rinsing your mouth out with water is a simple step anyone can do in six seconds. It’s easy, free, and effective.
Brush Your Teeth
Again, it’s all about eliminating staining pigments as quickly as you possibly can. Crunchy foods and a good mouth rinse will definitely help. The best thing you can do, however, is to brush your teeth.
Most people are able to remove much of their teeth’s staining simply by brushing regularly with whitening toothpaste. A good brush scrubs away residue before it has a chance to settle in. You don’t need to keep a toothbrush in your pocket to keep your teeth fresh. If you are drinking wine at home, sure.
Brush your teeth after you’re done. If you are at a party—no. You don’t need to steal off to the bathroom. Have your fun and brush at home like everyone else. Stained teeth won’t ruin your night, but they don’t need to stick around forever either.
Be Sensible
What do all of these tips have in common? They make a ton of sense—in the right context. It’s great to think about your teeth’s long-term beauty and health.
It’s not so great to become an obsessive weirdo who brings pockets full of toothbrushes, straws, and apples to every party they go to.
Act like a normal person. Enjoy the foods and drinks you love. Take sensible precautions when you can. Small, consistent efforts make the biggest difference. Most importantly, take care of your teeth. Regular, high-quality maintenance and attention will do your teeth the most long-term good.
At Integrated Dental, we specialize in helping connect people with convenient, highly comprehensive dental care. It’s simple. Brush your teeth. Use whitening paste as needed. Get regular checkups. With some solid preventative care, you can avoid staining and still enjoy coffee and red wine. A little effort goes a long way.