Starting today, April 19th, and continuing for the next week, our friends at Starbucks are highlighting their Unicorn Frappuccino. Yeah, that mythical, majestic creature is being turned into an explosion of pink and purple sweetness.
Even though the “Unicorn” will be around for just a week, many of us love having a nice, hot cup of coffee as part of our morning routine. But have you ever thought about how coffee and other sweet drinks can affect your teeth? Dr. Brittany Dickinson, who offers teeth whitening in Chicago, wants to get the word out!
How Does Coffee Affect Your Smile?
While coffee does have some definite advantages, it also negatively affects your smile in two main ways: It causes teeth discoloration and it can wear away at your tooth enamel.
While most teeth feel nice and smooth, the reality is that all teeth have tiny pits and grooves all along the surface. When you drink coffee, some of the black coffee particles get stuck in these pits and grooves, causing discoloration. Drinking lighter-colored coffee–with sugar and cream–doesn’t help either. Not only does the coffee itself wear away at the enamel, causing more tiny grooves for food particles to get stuck in, but the sugar and cream also attract bacteria, which can further worsen the staining.
How Can Coffee Staining Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent your teeth from staining due to coffee is to simply stop drinking it. For many people, however, this simply isn’t an option. The next best solution would be to brush and rinse regularly, especially immediately after enjoying your coffee. You can also drink your coffee faster, so it doesn’t sit on your teeth as long, or drink it through a straw so it bypasses your teeth altogether. Be sure to visit Dr. Dickinson for regular check-ups and cleanings as well.
How Can Coffee Staining Be Treated?
Once the staining occurs, however, you will need to treat it. The best way to remove stains caused by coffee and other staining substances is to visit Dr. Dickinson in Chicago for teeth whitening. With professional teeth whitening treatment, you can see amazing whitening results in less than an hour!
If you’re a coffee lover and you have the discolored teeth to show for it, let today be the day you finally decide to take action. Call Dr. Dickinson to schedule an appointment for professional teeth whitening today at (773) 883-1818.