How long after home teeth whitening can i drink coffee

How long after home teeth whitening can i drink coffee
Yellow, stained teeth are a common concern. Fortunately, this condition can often be treated with teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is an effective treatment to lift years of dental discoloration, dramatically and quickly transforming the appearance of the smile.

Coffee is notorious for staining the teeth, making teeth whitening treatment popular for those who regularly drink coffee. After teeth whitening, many coffee lovers wonder if they have to give up coffee to maintain their results.

Here, Drs. Brian Bell and Justin Crocker give tips for enjoying coffee after undergoing teeth whitening at our Lake Jackson, TX dental practice.

Coffee, and any dark colored foods and drinks that can stain fabric, are also likely to stain the teeth. Many people who choose to have their teeth professionally whitened have spent years drinking one or more cups of coffee a day. Continuing this habit without making certain changes can lead to dental discoloration.

In order to preserve your whitening results, it's important to take steps when drinking coffee to reduce the likelihood of staining.

How Soon Can I Drink Coffee after Teeth Whitening?

Coffee can be enjoyed after whitening treatment, but it's recommended that our Lake Jackson patients wait at least 48 hours after treatment before drinking coffee or consuming any dark food or beverage that could stain the teeth.

It's important to wait at least 48 hours after teeth whitening treatment before drinking coffee because teeth whitening treatment can leave the outer layer of the teeth, the enamel, porous and more vulnerable to absorbing stains. After 48 hours, the saliva typically remineralizes the enamel, making it less porous, as it was before treatment.

Tips to Prevent Coffee Stains after Teeth Whitening

In addition to waiting 48 hours after treatment to begin drinking coffee again, there are other ways to reduce the risk of coffee stains and maintain whitening results. Making the following changes to your coffee drinking habits can help prevent stains and keep the teeth looking their brightest white:

  • Drink coffee in moderation: The more coffee you drink, the more likely your teeth will stain. One of the best ways to reduce the risk of dental stains is to limit the amount of coffee you drink. If you have more than two cups a day, consider limiting it to one cup in the morning.
  • Use a straw: When drinking coffee or other dark beverages, using a straw can help reduce contact with the teeth. By reducing contact with the teeth, coffee is less likely to stain them. If drinking hot coffee from a mug with a straw isn't appealing, consider using a travel thermos with a straw.
  • Brush after drinking coffee: Another way to reduce stains is to brush the teeth after drinking coffee. This will remove any residual coffee from the teeth and prevent staining. With that said, it is best to wait about 30 minutes before brushing as the acid in coffee can temporarily soften the enamel.
  • Rinse with water after drinking coffee: Rinsing the mouth and teeth with water after drinking coffee can also help reduce staining and neutralize acids found in coffee. Rinsing with water is a good idea when unable to brush the teeth or while waiting to brush the teeth after drinking coffee.
  • Use a whitening toothpaste: Using a whitening toothpaste in between professional whitening treatments can help maintain whitening results and reduce coffee stains on the teeth.

Schedule a Consultation

For more tips on maintaining results after whitening treatment, or to find out if you're a candidate for teeth whitening, we welcome you to schedule a consultation at our practice in Lake Jackson by calling (979) 297-1201.

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How Soon After Teeth Whitening Can I Drink Coffee Again?

How long after home teeth whitening can i drink coffee

Who wouldn’t like a brighter, whiter smile? Today, there are two options to rejuvenate your smile: over-the-counter (OTC) or professional tooth whitening treatments. But, no matter what method is chosen, most patients are eager to learn if maintaining their whitening results means giving up their favorite beverages, food, or that coveted cup of jo in the morning. At R. Asher Henegar, D.D.S., P.A., you can reclaim your smile by addressing tooth discoloration with teeth whitening treatments. Read on to learn more about what tips to follow to maintain your professional tooth whitening results, or feel free to schedule an appointment with Dr. Asher Henegar by contacting our Colorado Springs, CO office today.

Is there a 24-hour rule with professional tooth whitening?

If you’re looking to effectively whiten your teeth for longer-lasting results, professional tooth whitening is what you need. At R. Asher Henegar, D.D.S., P.A., we can help Colorado Springs, CO patients address tooth discoloration and stains with professional-grade teeth whitening. Our in-office product is superior to most OTC tooth whitening options. We can help you whiten your teeth up to several shades and maintain longer-lasting results to remove deeper stains when compared to regular drugstore options, which barely penetrate the surface of your teeth. However, following professional tooth whitening treatment, you should be more cautious about what you eat or drink for at least 24 hours, if not longer, to preserve your results.

Are there other helpful tips?

Whitening treatments are a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure performed today. Both men and women turn to OTC and professional tooth whitening options to reduce tooth discoloration and dullness to their smiles. While it isn’t practical to avoid certain liquids and foods that stain teeth for a lifetime, there are a few things you can do to enjoy longer-lasting results, such as:

  • Avoid drinks, like coffee, dark-colored soda, or tea, for at least 48 hours, or drink with a straw
  • Avoid dark foods, like blueberries, tomato sauce, or soy sauce, for 48 hours
  • Avoid smoking or tobacco use
  • Check with your dentist about certain medications you are taking that may stain teeth
  • Rinse your mouth with water or a mouth wash after eating or drinking
  • Complete proper oral hygiene of brushing twice a day and flossing regularly

What are the benefits of professional tooth whitening treatments?

There are several benefits to having whiter teeth, such as removing dull stains, feeling more attractive, and having a cleaner-looking smile. When you opt for tooth whitening as a smile makeover experience at R. Asher Henegar, D.D.S., P.A., we utilize a safe and effective professional-strength gel that reaches beneath the tooth’s surface to remove deep stains and tooth discoloration. Professional tooth whitening treatment provides dramatic and quick improvements to your smile while giving your self-confidence a boost!

Get smile makeover help at R. Asher Henegar, D.D.S., P.A.

When you follow the above tips, you can keep your professional tooth whitening results around longer than you might have expected, which means avoiding that cup of jo in the morning for at least 48 hours to preserve your fantastic results. If you want to learn more, Dr. Asher Henegar can conduct a thorough dental exam and provide a personalized tooth whitening plan to achieve your cosmetic goals. Give our Colorado Springs, CO office a call or schedule your appointment online today.

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Can I drink coffee after home teeth whitening?

Yes. You can drink coffee and wine after teeth whitening, but you must keep in mind that drinking coffee and wine can diminish the results of whitening treatment.

When can you drink coffee again after teeth whitening?

The tooth whitening process temporarily makes the teeth more susceptible to stains, so it is best to avoid stain-causing foods and drinks for at least two days. After two days, you can resume drinking these beverages. But it is important to note that coffee and wine contain tannins, which, unfortunately, cause stains.

Can you drink coffee through a straw after teeth whitening?

Use a Straw for Iced Coffee and Cold Brew If you predominantly drink iced coffee, you're in luck. Using a drinking straw helps the liquid bypass the teeth, limiting the amount of stains that develop. Continue to use drinking straws for other colored or carbonated beverages as well.

How long do teeth pores stay open after whitening?

Myth: Repeated Whitening Damages Enamel The pores in the enamel are gently opened up so that dental bleaching agents can reach the stains beneath the surface of your teeth. About two days after the whitening procedure is complete, the pores close back up, leaving the enamel in its original state.