Coffee remains one of the most popular beverages people reach for in the morning. Its delicious aroma and soothing taste can help kickstart the day, no matter what lies ahead. But did you know that even the smallest cup, when consumed too often, can have a serious impact on your smile? In preparation for National Coffee Day on September 29, take some time to learn more about what you can do to protect your teeth while enjoying your morning cup of joe.
What Coffee Can Do to Teeth Over Time
Research indicates that those who consume a single cup of coffee each day are 12% less likely to die from cancer, diabetes, a stroke, or other serious diseases; however, much of this depends on whether something is added before consumption (i.e., sugar, creamer, etc.).
Whether you like your coffee black, with cream and sugar, or crafted one of a hundred other ways, this morning beverage may taste good going down, but it can leave a trail of issues behind, including:
- Stains – Coffee is a dark-colored beverage that contains tannins, which are polyphenols that produce a bitter taste and attach to tooth enamel. Over time, it will cause a yellow discoloration to occur.
- Cavities – If you like to incorporate creamer and/or sugar in your coffee, this increases your chances of developing cavities.
- Bad breath – The strong aroma and taste of coffee can leave you with unpleasant breath.
- Enamel erosion – When drinking coffee, the bacteria in your mouth can cause acids to form, which break down tooth enamel and cause erosion over time.
Ways to Drink Coffee Without Damaging Your Smile
If you plan to celebrate National Coffee Day on September 29, but you want to avoid increasing your chances of harming your pearly whites, here are a few helpful tips you can follow:
- Drink Lots of Water: In addition to enjoying your morning cup of coffee, keep a glass of water nearby. Drinking this hydrating beverage helps flush away harmful bacteria and stain-causing tannins. It also keeps up your saliva production, which neutralizes acids that can erode your tooth enamel.
- Avoid Sipping Your Coffee: If you plan to drink a cup in the morning, do not sip on it for a prolonged period. Instead, try to consume it in a short amount of time to keep bacteria and stain-causing particles from sitting on your teeth and wreaking havoc.
- Brush and Floss Your Teeth: If you wait 30 minutes after drinking a cup of coffee, you can safely brush and floss your teeth to remove anything that might cause cavities to form.
- Use a Straw: If you want to limit the coffee’s exposure to your teeth, try drinking it with a straw. Although it’s not foolproof, it can help keep the liquid from touching your pearly whites.
Don’t feel guilty for celebrating National Coffee Day this year. Just remember to take extra precautions to keep your smile in the best possible shape!
About the Author
Dr. Michael Young is a Lenox dentist who enjoys helping patients find solutions that are designed to improve the health and aesthetics of their smile. After graduating from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1994, he completed a continuum at the KOIS Center for Advanced Dental Learning. With decades of continuing education and additional training under his belt, he and the team at Forever Young Dentistry are equipped to provide all patients with helpful tips for maintaining healthy, cavity-free smiles. If you need help to make smarter decisions about daily habits that can positively or negatively affect your teeth and gums, visit our website or call (586) 277-0080 to schedule a consultation.