AllTop Viral!

The popularity of coffee and the cultural ideal of sparkling white teeth don’t mesh very well, yet there are ways to limit the damage your favorite morning pick-me-up does to your smile.

Kenneth D. Mack, DDS of Los Angeles, the land of where physical ideals are born, has six tips to fight the undesirable effects of coffee presented at The Daily Demitasse.

 1. Ice it Down

If you’re already obsessed with iced coffee, you’re in luck!  It turns out that cold-brewed coffee does less damage than the hot stuff.  Why?  This alternative brewing method results in fewer polyphenols and acid, which are the real stain and tooth damage culprits of coffee.

Cold brewing couldn’t be easier – the only catch is that you have to do it beforehand.  All you need to do is pour 4 cups of cold water over a cup of course grounds and let it steep for about 12 hours.  Then just strain it so you don’t get a mouth full of grounds.  You can also use a French press if you’ve got one.  What’s great is that cold-brewed coffee stays good for a while, so you can mix a large batch up on the weekend and keep it in the fridge to enjoy all week long.

2. Rinse Away

 This solution is so simple, it’s silly.  One excellent way to mitigate the havoc coffee wreaks on teeth is to accompany your java with water.  After every few sips of coffee, take a sip of water, and swish it around a bit before swallowing.  This little trick helps prevent the brown beverage from sticking around and causing stains.

Full story at The Daily Demitasse.

Have your coffee and keep your smile, too.

Graphics credit: Canva

.