 Coffee and tea are well known for their ability to stain anything they come into contact with. This isn't simply because they are a brown color, or green or gray if you are thinking more the tea route. This is actually because they contain tannins.
These microscopic parts of each beverage are actually what do most of the staining when you consume them. They are attracted to anything sticky, and then hold on for dear life. If you often consume these beverages, you need to make sure to take extra time to care for your teeth.
Tannins Stick to Tartar Like GlueIf you drink coffee or tea before brushing your teeth in the morning, then you are allowing your teeth to become stained. As the tannins from your drink pass by your teeth, they grab on to anything that’s even slightly sticky.
Tartar is definitely sticky, and can already be eating away at your teeth. Once the tannins are attached to the tartar, they have immediate access to the surface of your teeth. They can instantly begin staining your tooth, and are hard to wash away once they leave their mark.
Instead of letting your teeth become discolored, you have a few options. First, you should be brushing your teeth immediately upon getting up in the morning. Second, you can make sure you drink your beverage quickly.
If you slowly sip it all day, you increase the time it can damage and discolor your teeth. Finally, you can chase each drink with some water. This washes a lot of them down before they can cause any extra harm.
If your teeth are not quite as white as you would like due to tea or coffee consumption, talk to your dentist. They can help see which whitening methods would work best for your teeth.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at 480.935.6295 today. |
