Everyone loves their coffee in the morning. Some of us can't live without it! Unfortunately, coffee is one of the main culprits behind tooth stains and discoloration. So how can you enjoy your coffee and protect your bright smile? That's precisely what we're going to talk about today!
We'll give you some helpful hints on protecting your bright smile and even share some of our local favorite spots for the best coffee in Charlotte. Let's get started!
How to Guard Your Smile From Stains and Discoloration
There are several steps you can take at home to keep your smile bright, and the Journal of the American Dental Association recommends many of the following:
Daily Brushing and Flossing
This is the best way to protect your smile from staining, tooth decay, and gum disease. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes per session using proper techniques with a manual toothbrush, or choose an electric toothbrush to do the hard work for you.
Proper brushing technique requires holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and moving in gentle circular motions around the tooth, especially around the gumline. Move debris away from the gumline and off the tooth.
Flossing daily removes the debris from in between your teeth that contributes to staining and tooth decay. Make sure you're gently moving the floss up and down both sides of your teeth in a C-shape motion to be most effective.
Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste offers several benefits to consider.
- Stain Removal — Some whitening toothpastes are effective at removing surface stains.
- Polishing — Whitening toothpastes may contain mild abrasive ingredients, like baking soda, that can polish teeth during brushing.
- Oral Health — Many whitening toothpastes also contain fluoride, which protects teeth from enamel erosion and decay.
- Stain Prevention — Some whitening toothpastes contain ingredients, such as phosphates, that help protect against staining.
Your Charlotte dentist can help determine the best whitening toothpaste for your needs, as not all toothpastes are created equal.
Teeth Whitening Products
If you're considering brightening your smile with teeth whitening, there are many options to consider.
Store-bought options, like whitening strips, may help reduce stains and discoloration, but are not as effective as the products your dentist has access to. Professional teeth whitening with your dentist typically offers prescription-strength bleaching gels and custom options.
At Harlow Dental, we offer two convenient options for brightening your teeth with in-office and take-home treatments.
Our In-office treatment is done with ZOOM! and takes 60 to 90 minutes, depending on your needs. We start by placing a protective barrier around your gums to prevent irritation. Next, we apply a high-strength bleaching gel to your teeth and activate it with a special blue light. We remove the gel and may repeat that step multiple times, depending on the level of your tooth stains. Finally, we finish with a fluoride treatment to help reduce any sensitivity that could be caused by the whitening gel.
Our take-home plastic bleaching trays are customized for your smile with impressions we take of your teeth. We'll provide tubes of high-strength gel and show you how to apply it to your trays for safe use at home. Most patients achieve their desired results by whitening their teeth for 30 minutes per day for about 10 to 14 days.
We would love to talk with you if you'd like more information about professional teeth whitening in Charlotte. Talk with a team member at Harlow Dental at (704) 333-6010.
Let's Talk Coffee! We Know You Want To!
Now, for the best part, let's talk about some of our team's favorite coffee spots in Charlotte. 
Not Just Coffee
This hot spot opened in 2011 and has grown into five locations over the years. The team views coffee as a craft, not just a beverage, and they fill each cup not only with your beverage but also with intention and passion.
If coffee is also your passion, you can learn more about it through classes at Not Just Coffee.
Amelie's
Amelies doesn't just serve amazing coffee; it's also a French bakery and cafe, where you can enjoy delights, such as quiche and authentic French pastries. They will even ship macaroons to your door, even nationwide!
Amelie's also has multiple locations where you can enjoy breakfast or lunch along with your espresso or coffee. It's fun, French, quirky decor will brighten your day, while their delicious treats fill your belly.
Our team loves to support local businesses, and we hope you'll love these two as much as we do. We'd love to hear about your visits there, so share what you thought with our team the next time you visit Harlow Dental!
Talk With Our Team to Learn More
If it's time to schedule your next dental appointment, if you have questions about teeth whitening, or if you want to talk coffee, contact our team at (704) 333-6010. You can also request your next visit online. We look forward to hearing from you!
Remember to ask about our current dental specials, third-party financing options, and our exclusive membership savings plan.
Dental specials are our way of saying thank you to our valued patients, and financing options, such as CareCredit, allow them to get the treatments they want without sacrificing their budgets. A dental team member can help you apply, and decisions are always prompt.
We can't wait to help you achieve a whiter and brighter smile!