Minimize Coffee Stains with Teeth Whitening Treatment

So many people rely on a nice, hot cup of coffee to wake them up in the morning, and in many cases, several more cups to keep them energized throughout the day. Most doctors agree that a cup of coffee each day will not negatively impact a person’s health, and may even offer some advantages. However, one area of the body that is likely to be affected by this caffeine habit is the teeth. Coffee is one of the most common culprits of tooth stains and discoloration. Fortunately, teeth whitening treatment can eliminate signs of surface stains to give patients back the bright, white smile they desire. Dr. John P. Goodman offers teeth whitening to erase coffee stains for his Kansas City patients and help them maintain a white, attractive smile.

Teeth Whitening and Coffee

Teeth whitening treatment is able to help patients eliminate unwanted stains and significantly brighten the teeth. However, not all stains and discoloration respond well to the bleaching agents in teeth whitening. Fortunately, coffee stains are considered an extrinsic stain (that is, one that is present on the outer layer of the tooth enamel), and, as such, do typically respond well to teeth whitening treatment. Dr. Goodman offers two types of teeth whitening treatment that can help patients erase coffee stains and brighten the smile: in-office and at-home treatment:

• In-office teeth whitening: In-office teeth whitening treatment is ideal for patients who want fast and effective whitening results. In-office treatment involves the application of a whitening gel and the exposure of a special light that activates the bleaching agents in the gel. Because Dr. Goodman is the one applying the gel, and because the process is supervised, there is virtually no risk of soft-tissue damage (one of the main risks of over-the-counter teeth whitening). After treatment (which typically takes under an hour) patients immediately benefit from a smile that is free of coffee stains, and up to eight shades brighter.
• At-home treatment: Professional at-home treatment can also be effective in erasing coffee stains, but the results will be slower. Dr. Goodman can provide patients with custom bleaching trays and a professional-strength whitening gel so that they can get effective teeth whitening results at home. When used as directed, at-home whitening can also whiten the teeth by up to eight shades, but it typically takes several weeks to achieve maximum results.

Ideally, Dr. Goodman prefers that patients opt for a combination of in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatment. An in-office treatment can erase coffee stains and create the clean, white smile that the patient is looking for, and then at-home treatment can be used to help maintain those results so that coffee stains to not develop once again.

Alternative Treatment

In the majority of cases, teeth whitening is effective in treating stains and discoloration that are a result of coffee drinking. However, coffee is an acidic beverage and may wear down tooth enamel over time. This could result in the appearance of intrinsic stains (those that are present on the inner layer of dentin). Intrinsic stains do not respond well to teeth whitening treatment, but Dr. Goodman does offer alternative cosmetic treatments, such as dental bonding and porcelain veneers, that can improve the color of the teeth and the overall appearance of the smile.

Schedule an Appointment

Tooth discoloration and surface stains can significantly compromise the appearance of the smile. If you’d like to enhance the beauty of your smile by eliminating these unsightly blemishes, schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to learn more about the cosmetic dentistry services offered by Dr. John P. Goodman.