Can I Drink Coffee and Wine after Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a fast and effective treatment that can remove years of dental stains caused by certain foods and drinks.

In order to maintain good results after teeth whitening, patients may want to adjust their eating and drinking habits.

Dr. Thomas Tang explains the importance of limiting coffee and wine after teeth whitening during consultations at our Brookfield, WI, practice. For more information, we welcome you to schedule a consultation.

Coffee and Wine Increase the Risk of Discoloration

When undergoing teeth whitening, it's important to understand how regularly drinking coffee and wine can affect your results and cause your teeth to rapidly discolor. Some reasons coffee and wine increase the risk of dental discoloration include:

Color: The most obvious way is the color of coffee and wine itself. The brown color of coffee and deep burgundy of red wines can discolor the teeth.
Caffeine levels: The caffeine levels in coffee is another cause of dental discoloration. Caffeine can dry out the mouth, which can allow bacteria and food particles to linger on the teeth and increase the risk of discoloration. Adding sugar or sweetened creamers to coffee can also make stains worse.
Acidity: Most people are aware that red wine can lead to dental stains, but many are surprised to learn that white wine can also stain the teeth. Even though white wine lacks the deep burgundy color of a red wine, its high acidity can affect the enamel and lead to tooth discoloration.
Frequency: Finally, the amount and frequency of coffee or wine consumption is a contributor to tooth discoloration. Those who drink several cups of coffee a day or regularly have one or more glasses of wine are far more susceptible to developing dental stains than those who only occasionally drink these beverages.

Can I Drink Coffee and Wine after Teeth Whitening?

Yes. You can drink coffee and wine after teeth whitening, but you must keep in mind that drinking coffee and wine can diminish the results of whitening treatment. Additionally, it is important to completely avoid coffee and wine, as well as other foods and drinks that increase the risk of staining, in the first few days after treatment.

Our Brookfield patients should expect to avoid coffee and wine for at least 48 hours after treatment. This is crucial to protecting whitening results because the teeth are typically more porous and vulnerable to staining in the first couple days after treatment. After this 48-hour period, coffee and wine may be enjoyed and whitening results can be maintained as long as steps are taken to protect the teeth.

Reducing the Risk of Dental Stains

For the best results after teeth whitening, avoiding coffee and wine altogether is ideal. However, we understand that completely eliminating coffee and wine is often not feasible for most of our Brookfield patients. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the risk of discoloration and protect results when drinking coffee and wine after teeth whitening.

Limit coffee and wine consumption: Frequently drinking coffee and wine can increase the risk of dental stains. After teeth whitening, limiting the consumption of these beverages can help prolong whitening results.
Swish with water: Swishing the mouth with water after drinking coffee or wine can help remove food particles from the teeth and neutralize acids, both of which can aid in preventing discoloration.
Use a straw: Although it may seem weird to drink coffee or wine from a straw, it’s a good way to reduce contact with the teeth and reduce staining.
Brush after drinking coffee or wine: Brushing after drinking coffee or wine is a good way to remove stain-causing coffee and wine remnants from the teeth. It’s important to note that the acids in coffee and wine can temporarily soften the enamel so it is best to wait about 25 to 30 minutes before brushing.
Use a whitening toothpaste: Whitening toothpastes are great for maintaining results between professional whitening treatments, especially for those who like to drink coffee and wine.

Schedule a Consultation

For more information about teeth whitening treatment, including tips to help you maintain a whiter smile, please call (262) 207-4867 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tang.