I've tried the straw trick myself too, and honestly, it does make sense—less direct contact with your teeth means fewer stains, right? But like you said, probably more of a short-term fix. From what I've read, long-term stain prevention really comes down to regular brushing, flossing, and occasional professional cleanings. I still can't give up my morning coffee though...straw or no straw, some things are just non-negotiable, lol.
I've been there with the straw trick too, and honestly, it felt a bit awkward sipping hot coffee through a straw...not exactly my favorite experience, haha. I get the logic behind it, but I agree it's probably more of a temporary fix. After getting braces off, I became super paranoid about stains and discoloration—spent way too much time googling horror stories about uneven whitening and enamel damage. Eventually, I caved and got professional whitening done at my dentist's office. It was definitely effective, but the sensitivity afterward was no joke. For days, even breathing in cold air made me cringe. Now I'm extra cautious about anything that might stain my teeth again, but like you said, coffee is just one of those things that's hard to compromise on. I've settled for drinking water right after coffee and brushing gently about 30 minutes later (apparently brushing immediately after acidic drinks can actually damage enamel?). It's a balancing act for sure...
Totally relate to the sensitivity thing—after my whitening session, I remember even room-temperature water felt icy cold for a couple days. My dentist recommended using a toothpaste specifically for sensitive teeth, and honestly, it helped a lot. Also, she mentioned that drinking coffee with milk or cream can actually reduce staining because it lowers acidity...not sure if that's true, but I've been doing it anyway, haha. Has anyone else heard about this milk trick or tried it out?
"Also, she mentioned that drinking coffee with milk or cream can actually reduce staining because it lowers acidity...not sure if that's true, but I've been doing it anyway, haha."
I've heard the milk thing too—my dentist said something similar about acidity and staining. Can't say I've noticed a huge difference personally, but hey, any excuse to add cream to my coffee works for me, lol. And yeah, sensitive toothpaste is a lifesaver after whitening sessions...definitely worth it.
Yeah, I've read about that milk thing too—it seems legit since calcium can neutralize some acidity. But honestly, I still drink my coffee black and just rinse afterward...works fine for me so far. Sensitive toothpaste is a must, though.
