Should you brush your teeth before or after drinking coffee?

Coffee is a favorite drink for many people to start the day. However, drinking coffee can be harmful to your teeth. So should you brush your teeth before or after drinking coffee?

In fact, it is estimated that around a billion people around the world drink coffee every day. However, your morning sip can affect your oral hygiene if you are not careful. Morning routines are important. Here are some tips from dentists for regular coffee drinkers .

Should you brush your teeth before or after drinking coffee?

According to dentists, brushing your teeth before drinking coffee helps remove plaque and bacteria that have built up overnight, and also helps your teeth resist the yellowing effects of coffee better. Brushing your teeth after drinking coffee can cause the acid and stains from the coffee to stick to the enamel, making it more susceptible to wear over time.

Brushing first may not completely prevent stains, as porous enamel can still absorb some of the coffee pigment, but it can help. Clean enamel is smoother and less porous, so less coffee pigment sticks to the surface.

How long should you wait to brush your teeth after drinking coffee?

If you forget to brush your teeth before drinking this caffeinated beverage, don't do it right away. Dentists recommend waiting a bit. Generally, you should wait at least 30 minutes after drinking something acidic like coffee before brushing your teeth. This allows your enamel to remineralize and harden after being softened by the acid in the coffee, reducing the risk of enamel erosion.

What can you do to protect your teeth from coffee?

It may sound silly if you usually drink coffee out of a ceramic mug at home, but the first step to combating the effects of coffee is to use a straw. Drinking coffee through a straw minimizes direct contact with your teeth and reduces the risk of staining.

Try drinking your coffee in one sitting rather than in long bursts. Limit your sips throughout the day, as prolonged exposure increases the risk of staining your teeth.

Drinking warm water after drinking coffee is another quick and easy way to protect your teeth. Drinking or rinsing your mouth with water helps restore a neutral pH and removes surface stains before they can adhere to tooth enamel.

Yes, rinsing with water, chewing sugarless gum, or rinsing with fluoride or mineral-enriched mouthwash can help neutralize acids and wash away pigments on tooth surfaces.

Regular dental care is also important. Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily. Professional cleanings every six months can also help maintain the shine and health of your enamel.

In short, drinking coffee after brushing your teeth is a smart choice for two reasons:

1. First, brushing helps reduce stains by removing any plaque or food that could attract coffee pigment to your teeth.
2. Consider the strength of your tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth immediately after drinking coffee can damage your tooth enamel even more, as the abrasive action of brushing can wear away the already weakened enamel.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 21 November 2025