It has been said that if you took all the love songs in the world and replaced the word love with coffee, they would still mean the same thing. Instant human, just add coffee, might as well be the recipe that makes up modern society. For the most part, this coffee consumption is good for us. It’s been linked to reducing the risk of liver disease, Parkinson’s, depression and type 2 diabetes. It promotes activity, creativity and perks you up to face the day. The University of Scranton found that it’s the number #1 antioxidant consumed by Americans.

 Alas, there are downsides to overconsumption. Caffeine can bring about feelings of anxiety and the jitters, it also stains your teeth the same bean brown as your morning pick me up.

It’s no secret that coffee stains your teeth. It’s a tragic fact of life that the magic potion that gets you going, also dulls your naturally white smile. Most professionals will tell you to stop drinking coffee to avoid staining.

I’ll wait a minute for you to stop laughing. Then another to get over the horrific image of what your life would be like without your morning Joe.

The question is why and more importantly, what can be done about it? There are three factors that lead to staining: acids, chromogens and tannins and two simple ways to protect your smile.

Acids – Despite what it might look like and feel like, your teeth enamel is not flat and smooth, it contains microscopic pits that hold onto particles and pigments. Acids make your enamel softer and rougher, making it easier for stains to set in.

Chromogens – These are compounds with strong pigments that cling to your enamel. Coffee is full of them, along with dark fruits like cherries and pomegranates.

Tannins – Are a type of polyphenol that breaks down in water, the thing you’re steeping your beans in. These plant based compounds make it easier for stains to stick to teeth. Tannins are also found in red wine and tea, just in case you thought you could switch from beans to leaves to save your smile.

So, what can you do have your coffee cake and eat it too? Well first a few things you can’t do. Lightening your coffee doesn’t help, cream and sugar may aid the growth of bacteria, that also causes staining. Nor does switching to tea, due to those pesky tannins. You should however drink water after you drink coffee, making it less likely that staining compounds will stick to your enamel. This is good advice not only to avoid staining but because coffee is a diuretic and dehydrates you. We all know that we should be drinking more water.

We also all know that we should pay attention to our oral care. Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day plus flossing, will not only improve your overall oral health but aid in removing stains. Spa Dent Naturals Whitening and Aftercare gel contains whitening agents that keep your smile sparkling and all-natural ingredients to fight bacteria, prevent plaque and re-mineralize your teeth. Just a pea sized amount with your toothpaste for your nightly brushing. Dentist approved, without the need to cut out coffee.