For years in my practice, I saw my patients panic about stains before interviews, weddings, or big events.
I even offered free stain removal for brides and grooms who wanted a perfect smile on their big day.
Back then, I didn’t drink coffee myself. I understood the frustration, of course, but I hadn’t experienced it personally—until recently.
In my sixties, I finally became a coffee drinker. (I know, I know…everyone who told me I would love coffee was right!)
And, as tends to happen, it was the night before a big podcast interview when I saw the same unsightly brown shadows on my teeth that used to bother my patients.
That’s when I started researching at-home stain removal tools. My advice had previously always been, go see your hygienist for a polish.
But popping in to see your hygienist for a quick polish sometimes isn’t convenient.
Plus, I love a good DIY.
This is the tool that I found and continue to use for quick at-home polishes in between professional cleanings.
BEFORE you run out and buy it, however, let me teach you how to use it properly:
- Once or twice between cleanings. Never daily.
- Pair with nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste or better yet, varnish. In fact, after a polish is the best time to apply a varnish for maximum efficacy.
- Always scrape your tongue first. Pigments cling to that biofilm and redeposit on teeth.
- NEVER use DIY hacks like charcoal or lemon. Both harm enamel permanently. Don’t polish if there’s any chance your mouth might be acidic—do it an hour after any meals or drinks, and drink lots of electrolytes.
- Watch this video which I made to demonstrate how to use the tool properly. Let me know if you have any questions or if you’d like a follow-up video.
Why electrolytes matter: stains aren’t just about pigments. Coffee can suppress saliva. Each sip is acidic and demineralizes teeth for up to an hour. Coffee is mildly dehydrating, so saliva slows down.
Less saliva –> less buffering, fewer minerals, and slower clearance of pigments.
Research backs this up: saliva is your first defense against acid and stains. One study showed that saliva flow and buffering capacity are directly tied to electrolyte levels.
Skip electrolytes and you leave enamel unprotected.
Electrolytes aren’t sports drinks. They’re the raw materials your salivary glands need to keep enamel strong, breath fresh, and stains from taking hold.
These are the ones I’ve been loving lately—great taste, great ingredients, and the least acidic pH of any other electrolyte brands I’ve tested. (I won’t name names, but you’d be shocked at how acidic some of the most popular electrolyte brands on the market are…)
Have electrolytes made a difference for you? I’d love to hear what you’re noticing. Which topic would you like me to cover in the next newsletter?
-Mark
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