Can Coffee Stain Your Tongue?
If you’re a coffee drinker, you may have noticed that your tongue can feel a little rugose after a session of gulping down the beverage. But did you know that coffee stains on your tongue can be more than just an indicator of your daily caffeine consumption- they could also signify something more serious?
When coffee or any other bitter beverage is consumed in excess amounts, it can heavily stain the surface of the papillae – those small projections on the tongue that have pores. The reason for this is that these tiny pores are quite sensitive to bitter tastes and will react with increased pigmentation in order to shield your body from any potential toxins found in plants that have a bitter taste.
Therefore, if you notice an excessive amount of staining and discoloration occurring as a result of drinking too much coffee intake, then it’s probably time to review just how much caffeine you are consuming and make some necessary cutbacks!
How To Remove Coffee Stains From Your Tongue?
The following methods can be used to remove tongue stains:
Toothpaste
There are many kinds of toothpaste on the market that can help to clean and whiten your tongue, not just any old toothpaste. Crest’s Healthy White toothpaste contains hydrogen peroxide, a natural bleach, which can help remove coffee stains from your tongue.
Brushing the outside of your tongue twice a day with a toothbrush or once a day with a tongue scraper is highly advised. Using this type of toothpaste not only helps you keep your mouth healthy and clean, but it also helps you maintain fresh breath by removing bacteria and food debris from the surface of your tongue.
So switch up to a quality whitening toothpaste and make sure that cup of coffee isn’t staining your tongue anymore.
Lemon
A lemon is an excellent option for removing coffee stains from your tongue. Not only does it provide a natural bleaching agent that can help remove staining, but its cleansing properties can also act as a purifying agent to rid your tongue of impurities.
Squeeze the juice from a lemon and swish it around in your mouth for at least thirty seconds before spitting it out and rinsing it with warm water. Doing this once a day, preferably in the morning, should enable you to see results in two weeks or less.
Lemon’s natural acids cleanse our mouth of any buildup that could be causing discoloration; thus, ultimately restoring its color and freshness back to normal.
Orange Juice
If you’re worried about coffee staining your tongue, then orange juice is a great solution. The abundance of antioxidants and natural acids in the juice makes it incredibly cleansing, providing you with an effective way to remove coffee stains and other impurities on the surface of your tongue.
All you have to do is squeeze the juice from an orange and swish it in your mouth for at least 30 seconds before spitting it out and rinsing it with warm water. For two weeks, do this daily, preferably in the evening, and you will likely see improvement in the clarity of your tongue.
Orange juice is a quick and easy fix for coffee-stained tongues. Just be sure to rinse your mouth with water immediately after using the juice, otherwise, it might cause harm to your teeth due to its acidic nature.
If you have any sensitivities when it comes to oral hygiene and medications such as those used for blood thinning, then avoid using orange juice for removal purposes. Otherwise, this natural ingredient is an effective way to get rid of coffee stains on your tongue.
Why Does Coffee Discolor My Teeth?
Coffee has a well-known reputation for staining sensitive teeth. But why does it discolor our pearly whites? It all has to do with the enamel of our teeth. Our enamel is composed of many tiny gaps that allow particular food and drink residue to get stuck in them, leading to extrinsic stains and bacteria build-up.
Drinking dark-colored beverages such as coffee and tea can leave permanent discoloration on your teeth, due to the pigments penetrating the ridges. If you desire to maintain whiter teeth, brushing after drinking coffee is a must because once the enamel is stained, it becomes harder to remove the deeper stains.
So if you’re looking for reasons as to why coffee causes the yellowing of teeth, look no further than the enamel on your pearly whites.
Use These Tips To Get Rid Of Staining
If you’re worried about coffee staining your tongue, then it’s best to take action to prevent it. Luckily, there are a few tips you can follow to reduce the likelihood of staining your teeth from coffee and other liquids.
- First, make sure you schedule regular dental cleanings or whitening appointments with your dentist to get rid of any existing stains.
- You could also consider brushing your teeth twice a month with baking soda for a DIY whitening solution without the added chemicals.
- Start by using a whitening toothpaste because it can aid in reducing coffee stains.
- In addition, try drinking through a straw and rinse out with water after consuming coffee or tea.
- For even more cleaning power, consider switching to an electric toothbrush from a manual one — this will allow you to get rid of more staining bacteria.
- Of course, brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes should be part of your daily dental routine anyway.
- Flossing, brushing, and using mouthwash are all great steps toward making sure that you have a healthy mouth free from stains.
So go ahead and use these tips to get rid of those pesky coffee stains. By following these simple tips, you’ll keep your smile looking fresh and free from staining caused by drinking coffee and other beverages.