If you drink coffee on a regular basis, then you’re not alone. There are millions of regular coffee drinkers throughout Ontario and the rest of Canada and for many of them, stained teeth and bad breath are part of the package deal.
There are several foods and beverages (as well as a few bad habits) than affect the condition of our teeth. Soda can erode the enamel and cause staining. Smoking can stain your teeth an orange-yellow tint. And coffee can stain them as well.
All of these habits can also affect your breath. Short of quitting these bad habits cold turkey, there are some things that you can do to help alleviate the negative impact that they have, not only on your oral health but also on your breath.
Brush regularly.
Brushing your teeth every day, twice a day is the best defense against problems that arise as a result of these habits. They may be considered ‘bad’ habits with regard to your oral health, but we won’t call them bad because, frankly, they are what people do.
Brushing and flossing twice a day can help reduce the impact of stained teeth.
Visit your dentist twice a year.
When you visit your dentist every six months, you will get a regular cleaning which can help to keep your teeth looking white. It will also allow your dentist the opportunity to keep up with your oral health.
Problems that begin to show can become more severe if they aren’t addressed or corrected in a timely manner. Delaying a visit to your dentist because of a ‘busy schedule’ or because you are concerned about potential pain or discomfort is only going to delay the inevitable. Problems with your teeth are not going to improve on their own.
Rinse with mouthwash.
Choose a non-alcoholic based mouthwash and rinse with this after every flossing. This will help to remove food particles and it can also kill certain bacteria in your mouth which is the number of cause of bad breath.
Drinking coffee is practically a necessity for millions of people throughout Ontario. Keeping teeth healthy and white becomes more challenging as a result. Rely on these tips and they should help you maintain a healthy smile and fresh breath.