Are you a coffee lover? It is a known fact that coffee stains teeth. Dull teeth can cause you to become self-conscious regarding your smile. So, if you had professional teeth whitening, you may have to make a difficult compromise: no coffee for a while!
Coffee is pretty much how most of us survive the day, and it can be hard to let it go. But, at the same time, you would not want to stain your white teeth. Therefore, how long to avoid coffee after teeth whitening? Read this blog to learn.
How Long After Teeth Whitening Can I Drink Coffee?
It is recommended to avoid eating or drinking anything that can potentially stain your teeth for around 24 hours after teeth whitening. This includes coffee, red wine, tea, dark-colored foods, and more.
24-hour restriction for coffee and other teeth-staining items is usually for professional teeth whitening procedures. However, there are other ways to brighten your smile, and the time span for limiting coffee might be different for each. Here is an insight on how long to avoid coffee after different teeth whitening procedures:
1. In-Office Whitening
The most effective method of lifting the color of your teeth is in-office whitening. When you visit a professional for whitening your teeth, the results will last longer, too. Dr. Allen Jahangiri works alongside his team at our dental practice to ensure you are satisfied with the results. When the procedure is over, we will instruct you to wait a day before you drink coffee or tea. This way, the whitening agents have sufficient time to work and resist the effect of teeth-staining products!
2. At-Home Whitening
If you are proceeding with at-home teeth whitening, it can take a little longer to deliver promising results. You will be using trays and gels for approximately two weeks, which means your teeth are more vulnerable to staining during this time. Thus, it is best to avoid teeth-staining foods and drinks for two weeks in order to avoid stains. That’s not all! Wait a couple of days after the two-week treatment before consuming anything that stains your teeth!
What to Do If I Have Coffee After Teeth Whitening?
After the teeth whitening procedure, you should avoid coffee and other foods or beverages that might dull your smile. And, yes, this includes drinking coffee through a straw after teeth whitening; you can never be too careful. Nonetheless, if you do end up drinking coffee, here is what to do:
- Brush your teeth right away.
- If you do not have access to your toothbrush, rinse your mouth with clean water.
- Consult your dentist to see if it is advisable to book a maintenance teeth whitening session.
Final Word
It is not recommended to drink coffee after teeth whitening, especially within the first 24 hours. On the other hand, you should avoid coffee throughout the two weeks of at-home whitening to maintain your smile. When the two weeks are over, wait a couple of days before eating or drinking anything that threatens to stain your teeth.
