How To Prevent Teeth Stains From Coffee | The Dental Studio

How To Prevent Teeth Stains From Coffee HomeOral CareHow To Prevent Teeth Stains From Coffee 11 Sep 2020 by Dr Lynette Ng 0

How To Prevent Teeth Stains From Coffee

I am a self-confessed coffee lover. I need a cup of coffee at home when I wake and my team knows to order me a cup when I get into work. As a Dentist, it is important to maintain my pearly white teeth, especially when I have to face my patients every day.

I personally do not have a problem with coffee stains despite a regular 2-3 cups a day (I know, I am an addict). Read on and I will share with you the secret to having your cake and eating it too; in this case, having your caffeine fix, and white teeth too.

How does coffee stain teeth?

The big culprits are tannins, and they are commonly found in drinks like coffee. Tannins are a type of polyphenol that breaks down in the water. Tannins release coloured products that stick to rough surfaces on your teeth, causing yellow or brown discolouration. These stains are more likely to stick especially if you have plaque present on the tooth surface.

How do I remove coffee stains from teeth?

The good news is that these teeth stains are mostly external and not permanent. In the strong coffee club culture today, where meetings and social gatherings are done over a cup of coffee, steering away from coffee can prove difficult. If you are a heavy coffee drinker as I am, here are some of the ways I maintain my teeth bright and shiny.

1. Duration of the coffee drink

Do not constantly sip your coffee throughout the day. Have your cup and your caffeine fix in one sitting vs nursing a cup over the day. Do take sips of water between your cup of coffee if you are taking it over a prolonged period, otherwise, it would be good to rinse with water after the drink. Wait half an hour to brush, so that the acids are neutralised. Otherwise, you might be spreading the acid all over your teeth. Acid erosion takes away the enamel layer, causing the internal dentine layer to show through. Dentine is yellow, and that can in turn cause more tooth discoloration.

2. Avoid direct coffee contact with teeth

Consider using a straw. Drinking coffee through a straw can help prevent it from having direct contact with your teeth, thus reducing the risk of stains.

3. Brushing

Have a good home care routine in place. Brush your teeth twice a day as instructed by your dentist. Rinse or brush after lunch if you had a cup of coffee, but do wait 30 minutes to brush. You can also use whitening toothpaste to help remove some of the coffee stains, but it should be used with care. These toothpastes contain abrasive particles. Overuse or use with a hard bristle toothbrush can cause unnecessary loss of the outer tooth layer through attrition, causing teeth to appear more yellow.

4. Flossing

Floss every night. This would also help prevent calculus from accumulating. Calculus is hardened plaque and tends to gather around the gaps between teeth and along the gum line. Calculus is very rough and can absorb stains easily.

5. Regular Dental Visits

Most importantly, do visit us every 6 months to have a professional dental cleaning done. Calculus can only be removed by our professional tools safely. Polishing is also done to remove all the stains caused by coffee.

6. Teeth Whitening

This is my all-time favourite and my main weapon in my “white teeth” toolbox. Teeth whitening is very safe and non-invasive. The teeth whitening gel is of neutral pH and does not damage or “eat away” tooth structure.

There are 2 available options for teeth whitening.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

This can be done in the comfort of your home and results can be seen in 7 to 10 days.

Zoom Chairside Teeth Whitening

This teeth whitening process is done in the clinic by our dentist. You can achieve a whiter smile in a single session of about 75 minutes while watching our overhead TV.

I like to whiten my teeth once a year with Zoom chairside teeth whitening, and I maintain my brightened smile every 3 months over 3 days, with the take-home teeth whitening kit.  The take-home teeth whitening kit can also be used to replace the Zoom chairside teeth whitening procedure. Simply wear the teeth whitening trays with whitening gel, over 15 minutes a day, or to sleep over 7-10 consecutive days for similar results. 

The teeth whitening process uses active ingredients to temporarily open pores in your teeth and lift stains. After each whitening session, your teeth will naturally remineralize and rehydrate. While the pores are temporarily opened, it would be best to avoid coffee and any other food or beverages that can heavily stain a white shirt. This would help to maximise the whitening results achieved.

I would advise patients to avoid coffee 48 hours post-Zoom Chairside teeth whitening and during the period of the home whitening. Use a straw if you need a caffeine fix.

Can you still drink coffee?

Of course! Even when the drink we love so much can cause yellowing to our pearly white teeth, you are now equipped with the above knowledge to do what you can to allow your teeth to stay healthy and bright while enjoying the drink to the fullest. YOLO!

FAQs

How do I get the brown stains off my teeth?

Good oral hygiene practice but the only way to remove stains thoroughly is to see the dental professional.

Are teeth stains permanent?

Stains can be categorised as internal and external.

1. Internal stains are caused by dental decay, a non-vital tooth or previous Root canal treatment (RCT), fluorosis or tetracycline staining – Generally cannot be whitened. The stains are permanent, but various treatment options are available to whiten the teeth.
2. External and can be caused by coloured food, beverages such as coffee, red wine and from smoking. These stains can be prevented by good oral hygiene practices, rinsing after taking a coloured drink or routine scaling and polishing. The underlying colour of the tooth can brighten with teeth whitening. These stains are not permanent.

What gets stains off teeth?

Good oral hygiene practice. Such as;

• brushing twice a day
• floss at night
• rinse after taking coffee or red wine and brushing teeth 30 minutes after so that acids are neutralised.

How can I remove stains from my teeth naturally?

You can also prevent stains with whitening toothpaste. Proper tooth brushing techniques are essential. Charcoal toothpaste is not proven to be effective. As the toothpaste is abrasive, it can cause excessive wear of the tooth surface.

You can use a wet terry cloth with a bit of baking soda to remove localised areas of stains. However, this should be used with caution, as excessive use strips the tooth enamel.

Book an appointment with Dr Lynette Ng.

Book An Appointment Share This On:

Adult

Oral Care

About Author

Dr Lynette Ng

Dr Lynette Ng is an experienced Prosthodontist and Dental Director at The Dental Studio (TDS). She manages a team of associate dental surgeons specialising in Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr Ng graduated with numerous awards, including the IADR Gold Medal and Dean's List, from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. She also completed specialist training in Prosthodontics through a conjoint Masters of Dental Surgery with the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh.

Related posts

21 Aug 2025 by The Dental Studio 0

CHAS Dental Subsidy Enhancements from October 2025 — What Patients Should Know

Adult, Oral Health

General, Oral Care, Payments

Read More 27 May 2025 by Dr Lynette Ng 0

Teeth Feel Weird After Cleaning? Here’s What’s Normal – Plus Other Surprising Facts About Sensitivity

Adult, Oral Health

General, Oral Care, Sensitivity

Read More 27 May 2025 by Dr Lynette Ng 0

Is Lemon Water a Health Hack or a Dental Disaster? The Truth About Acidity and Sensitive Teeth – Plus Other Surprising Causes

Adult, Oral Health

General, Oral Care

Read More by irmankarim 0

How to Prevent Teeth Stains from Coffee

Share This On:

About Author

irmankarim

Recent Posts

• CHAS Dental Subsidy Enhancements from October 2025 — What Patients Should Know
• Teeth Feel Weird After Cleaning? Here’s What’s Normal – Plus Other Surprising Facts About Sensitivity
• Is Lemon Water a Health Hack or a Dental Disaster? The Truth About Acidity and Sensitive Teeth – Plus Other Surprising Causes
• Why Is It Important to Preserve Your Natural Teeth as You Age?
• Teeth Whitening by Dentists vs Salons vs Over-The-Counter Products
• Food for Teeth
• Can I eat my way to good oral health?
• The Importance of Regular Dental Check-ups: A Guide to Preventative Dentistry

About The Dental Studio

Your smile is your best accessory.

That’s why The Dental Studio has been improving smiles since 2007. We focus on giving people the treatments they need without pain or fear.

Our team of specialist and general dentists bring you this blog to keep you informed on your oral health, bust myths and unveil mysteries.

Your Invisalign® Journey

1

First Consultation at $50

• Registration of interest
• Dental examination of teeth, bite, and facial profile
• Initial consultation to assess suitability for Invisalign® or other treatment options *Consultation fee waived if you proceed with treatment

2

Digital Scans & Records (included in Stage 1 sign-on)

• iTero 3D digital scan with single-use sleeve
• Extra-oral photos
• Radiographs if required such as panoramic X-ray or lateral ceph

3

Treatment Planning $2,000 to $2,500

• Personalised Invisalign® software plan
• Digital simulation of your new smile
• Laboratory preparation of aligners

4

Aligner Fitting and Care

• Custom clear aligners created with precision mapping
• Fitting of aligners with bonding of retention attachments
• Care and wear instructions provided

5

Progress Reviews $500 per visit

• Aligner changes every 2 weeks
• Regular review visits every 6 to 8 weeks
• Adjustments and refinements as needed

6

Completion & Retention $950

• Final check and completion of Invisalign® treatment
• Upper and lower retainers provided to maintain your new smile
• Guidance for long-term oral health and care

Note: Non-compliance with aligner wear or retainer use may result in additional costs for refinements or retreatment.

CLOSE

Talk to us today!

Please leave this field empty.

By providing my personal information, I hereby give consent to The Dental Studio and other clinics under the Singapore Medical Group to collect and utilize my data for the purposes of marketing and updates on treatment services. This may include communicating with me via email and/or telephone.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Δ

CLOSE

Paragon 6836 0050

OUE 6221 1395

Tai Thong 6836 5000

Call Us Book Appt