First things first, put your worries away! We are not about to tell you that your coffee drinking days are over. We know that each shot of caffeine is crucial and we cherish our coffee, too! Here at Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry, we want to educate you on what causes coffee stains and what you can do to fight them.

It’s no secret how Bolivia & Oak Island residents feel about their coffee, and we’re not about to get in the way of that love. However, we will help you keep your smile healthy and beautiful with tips that won’t drastically affect your lifestyle. Dr. Michelakis, Dr. Wilharm, Dr. Harrington, Dr. Miller, Dr. Hohl & Dr. Dobransky and the rest of us at Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry are your oral health allies!

So let’s start off with the basics. What makes coffee stain your teeth?

Coffee is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to stained teeth in Bolivia & Oak Island, and the discoloration can be so bad it mimics cigarette stains. So what’s the secret? What can you do to keep your teeth shiny, but still get your caffeine fix?

Coffee and its Active Ingredient: Caffeine

It is best for your oral health and health of your entire body to keep your coffee consumption to a safe limit. An excess of caffeine, regardless of the source, spells negative effects for your heart and stomach and can lead to serious health problems over time. That being said, we won’t tell you to do anything crazy, like quit drinking coffee.

Guard Your Teeth against Coffee Stains with These Three Tips

1) The simplest and best way to guard your teeth is to rinse with water right after you are done with your coffee. Not only is water the best thing to nourish your body, it will also wash away the caustic chemicals, and the sooner you drink it, the better.

2) Here’s another great tip that probably never crossed your mind – drink your coffee as quickly as possible.  The less time your teeth have to soak in coffee’s tannins, the less damage your enamel will suffer.

3) Whiten Your Teeth. Do your teeth currently have stains due to coffee or other offenders? If they do, one of many different types of whitening treatments may be a possibility. As always, it is best to consult Dr. Michelakis, Dr. Wilharm, Dr. Harrington, Dr. Miller, Dr. Hohl & Dr. Dobransky before whitening your teeth and our Bolivia & Oak Island dental professionals will help you design a treatment plan suited to your needs.

Whitening options come in a variety of forms, whether you choose a professional treatment, or purchase an over-the-counter product (such as strips, gels, or special toothpaste).

Here in our Bolivia & Oak Island office, it is our mission to do everything in our power to help you keep in all around (not just oral) perfect health. We at Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry are here to help you choose the best option to make stains disappear and keep your teeth safe from harm.

Should you find yourself with any questions regarding coffee stains, whitening, or anything else, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry today!

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tannic_acid

Good News for Grown Ups

“Adulting” can be hard. Between rent, bills, kids, a career, and other responsibilities, it can be hard to make time for yourself. But independence, parenting, fulfilling work, and the wisdom that comes with age can be pretty fantastic, too. So how does your oral healthcare fit into a grown up lifestyle?

• Priorities: You manage a lot on any given day. Brushing your teeth and making a dental appointment may not feel like the most pressing of matters, but you know they are important in the long run—so you do it.
• Family Life: Many people are more motivated to take care of their self when the habits easily fit in with family life and when you know someone is looking to you to set a good example. Whether you are caring for children or aging parents, preventative oral healthcare is more fun (and more likely to happen) together as a family.
• Benefits: If you have a job that provides dental coverage, there’s really no reason not to see the dentist. You should even be able to use paid time off for the appointment. Can anyone say “me time”?
• Holistic Dentistry: As we get older, we tend to know ourselves better. Holistic medicine is getting more popular as people consider all the ways one part of their health affects another. Keep solid notes on how your whole body and mouth are doing and share the notes with both your doctor and your dentist.

Read more ›