Coffee Got Your Teeth Down? Or Should I say.. Brown?

If you’re anything like me, then you love coffee. I started drinking coffee early on in college. I’ve always been a fan of caffeine, but never got into coffee because soda and other caffeinated beverages always seemed better to me. However, I quickly became a fan of coffee once I really started drinking it. It first started as something I would drink in social environments at the cafe at my university from time to time with my friends. But the more I drank, the more accustomed my taste buds became to it’s bitter but delicious taste of chocolate and other flavors. I guess at some point I transitioned into becoming a full-time coffee drinker. I ended up buying a keurig, and this marked the beginning of my long standing love affair with coffee. 

The problem with coffee, however, is that it has a nasty habit of staining your teeth. I really value my dental hygiene and am insecure about my teeth getting stained or looking gross. Afterall, teeth are often what help to solidify a first impression you might have with someone. Whether we like it or not, our minds subconsciously make a lot of judgments about a person based on their teeth. Consequently, it’s super important for me to keep my teeth clean and somewhat stain free. To do this, there are several different ways that I have researched to whiten your teeth that do not involve going to the dentist. So if you’re looking for a few ways to keep those coffee stains off your teeth, read below!

First it’s important to note why teeth can begin to yellow or get stained. Certain foods can stain your enamel, which is the outermost layer of your teeth. Additionally, plaque buildup on your teeth can cause them to look yellow. This type of discoloration can usually be treated with regular cleaning and whitening remedies. However, sometimes teeth look yellow because the hard enamel has eroded, revealing the dentin underneath. Dentin is a naturally yellow, bony tissue that lies underneath the enamel. In this case, it may be a bit harder to whiten your teeth. But hopefully you can use a few of the tips below to help make your smile a little bit whiter!

One natural, at home remedy is to brush your teeth with baking soda. Baking soda actually has natural whitening properties due to it’s abrasivity when scrubbing into your teeth. In fact, it is true that many companies use baking soda as an ingredient in toothpaste. There were several studies done that show the effectiveness of baking soda and it’s whitening properties, making it a sure way to make your smile just a bit whiter. Baking soda is extremely cheap and affordable as well, making it perfect for anyone who wants to whiten on a budget! And let’s face it, anything is cheaper than the dentist. 

Another at home remedy is hydrogen peroxide, which is a natural teeth whitener as well. People have in fact been using hydrogen peroxide for years to kill bacteria in their mouths and to whiten teeth. This is also another ingredient used in everyday toothpastes from a lot of different commercial products. I hope this article is helpful to you in your teeth whitening adventures!

Dentist vs. orthopedic surgeon

Dentists and orthopedic surgeons both help people with their oral needs but in different ways. A dentist is a broad medical term that specifies teeth, gums, jaws, and nerves in the mouth. An orthopedic surgeon specializes in bite corrections, straightening teeth, and occultations. For some reason, any time I went to my orthopedic, they seemed more friendly than the dentist’s office I visit. It could be the profession or the people, who knows. An important thing to remember is all orthopedic surgeons are also licensed as dentists, but not all dentists are licensed as orthopedic surgeons. 

The main similarity between dentists and orthopedic surgeons is they both focus on oral health care. As mentioned, orthopedics are also licensed as dentists, so they can work in a dental office doing the same work as a dental surgeon. In this aspect, they are the same because they can provide the same kind of care. Both professions are described as doctors that deal with teeth and gums. However, when it comes to specifics, a dentist can not do any more than work on teeth, gums, and jaws. An orthopedic surgeon can do the same as a dentist but can also put on braces, correct bites, and cure occultations. 

There are more differences between these two professions than similarities. As mentioned, dentists can only work on teeth like cleaning, providing fills for cavities, and tooth extractions, where orthodontists can do a bit more than that. Becoming an orthopedic surgeon requires more dental schooling than its predecessor, much like a doctor wanting to progress further to become a surgeon. Another difference is that orthopedic surgeons can help patients realign their bite and straighten teeth by applying braces. Orthodontists mainly focus on making your mouth straight, while dentists make sure your mouth is healthy.

Both practices have a priority of ensuring that your mouth is healthy, but dentists mainly focus on that. To ensure your mouth is beneficial, dentists require a yearly check on your teeth. It is essential to go to these appointments as neglecting them can lead to disaster in your mouth. If a patient has an overbite or anything wrong with alignment wise the dentist will refer them to an orthodontist. I had this exact situation happen to me as I was going into my freshman year of high school. I was not interested in getting braces as I had friends with them and all they did was complain about the pain they had due to their braces. I needed to get braces to fix an overbite along with straightening my teeth. The monthly adjustments of the wire and bands were not fun, and it made me understand my friend’s complaints. Looking back on it today, I am glad I got them as I have much straighter teeth now compared to back before I had them. 

Dentists and orthopedic surgeons have a lot of differences, more than similarities. The good news is that both professions focus on the health of your mouth. If your dentist says that you need to go to the orthopedic, it is crucial to listen to them as there is something profound in your mouth that they can not deal with as it is not in their job description, so to speak. Trusting your smile to an orthopedic surgeon can generally better your balance of different required procedures.