While television and the movies would have you believe that the habit of drinking coffee constantly throughout the day every day will have little to no effect on your teeth, the truth of the matter is quite a bit more complicated. These shows and films show actors and actresses with unnaturally white teeth sipping away at their coffee with no real repercussions. However, if you have been drinking coffee for many years, you may have noticed a much different result on the appearance and health of your teeth. Get to know some of the ways that you can brighten and refresh your smile as a habitual coffee drinker so you can be sure you are doing everything you can to keep your smile healthy and looking great.

Do Not Skip Your Routine Cleanings

Coffee is an acidic liquid. This means that is can eat away at the enamel on your teeth, making it easier from tartar and plaque to build up on your teeth as well as for those substances to cause an infection inside of the teeth.

As such, it is extremely important if you are a frequent coffee drinker to always stick to your routine teeth cleaning schedule. These appointments will help to prevent major infections in your teeth and keep larger plaque deposits from developing and calcifying. Your dentist will also be able to detect early signs of problems with your teeth to prevent you from needing extensive major dental work.

Consider Getting Professional Teeth Whitening Done

If you have noticed that your teeth have become more and more yellow or have significant discoloration (i.e. teeth that vary in color or have spots of darker yellowish or brown stains), you may want to consider getting yourself an appointment for professional teeth whitening.

Cosmetic dentists offer powerful teeth whitening services that remove stains at far better rates than whitening toothpastes and other treatments you can buy for yourself in a store. The chemical whitening agents used in the dentist's office are more potent or concentrated which improves their stain removal capabilities.

However, they can be extremely abrasive on the soft tissues of your mouth and need to be applied with care and precision to avoid chemical burns. The results that you can get from such whitening services can make it look like you have never had a cup of coffee in your life and can last for months or even years. Professional teeth whitening services will be one of your best cosmetic defenses against routine coffee drinking for your teeth. 

If You Sweeten Your Coffee, Be Sure You Brush After Drinking Your Coffee

Coffee by itself is hard on the teeth. But if you add sweeteners like creamers, syrups, or sugar to your coffee, it can be even tougher on your teeth. If you are one of those people who prefers their coffee sweetened, try to make sure that you brush your teeth shortly after you finish your coffee.

The sweeteners can promote bacterial and plaque growth on your teeth. This can not only lead to more staining but can also cause infections to both your teeth and gums. If possible, use sugar free syrups in your coffee rather than sugar or creamers and use very small amounts when you do add sweeteners to your coffee. 

These tips can help you to brighten and refresh your smile in both appearance and overall health when you are a habitual coffee drinker. Contact a clinic like Family 1st Dental for more tips.