If you are one of the many coffee enthusiasts who can not begin the day without a cup of coffee, you are not alone. Coffee is a popular beverage enjoyed by millions throughout the world due to its rich flavor and much-needed caffeine jolt.
However, while you drink your morning brew, you may worry if coffee is bad for your teeth. In this article, we will look at the effects of coffee on your dental health and give you some ideas for keeping your smile bright. To learn more, consult Dexter dental office today!
First, let us look at how that cup of coffee affects your smile and what you can do about it.
Coffee can stain your enamel.
If you consume coffee frequently, you may have noticed that your teeth do not shine as brilliantly as they once did. Tannins are substances found in beverages such as coffee, tea, and wine. This brownish material can coat your teeth and induce other dark-colored chemicals to attach to them as well. Although the particles may be removed, they might leave a persistent yellow stain on your smile.
Coffee can cause cavities.
According to the National Coffee Association, 65% of coffee consumers like to add milk and/or sugar to their beverages. Unfortunately, these wonderful additional flavors and creamers are loaded with sugars, which your mouth bacteria use to form cavities. Coffee raises your risk of tooth decay considerably higher if you consume it slowly throughout the morning.
Coffee can weaken your teeth.
Coffee is an acidic drink. It has the same strength as the acids produced by your mouth bacteria and can burn through your enamel. The more often coffee comes into touch with your teeth, the more enamel loss occurs. This results in weakening teeth that are prone to a variety of problems, such as sensitivity, breakage, decay, and infection.
How can you protect your teeth?
Now that we have covered some of the possible difficulties, let us talk about how you can drink coffee without jeopardizing your oral health:
- Drink water alongside your coffee.
Sipping water with your coffee can help remove some of the acid and pigments, limiting their contact with your teeth. It also combats dry mouth by increasing saliva production.
- Drink coffee in moderation.
Moderation is the key to limiting coffee’s influence on your teeth. Limit your daily coffee intake to a modest level to decrease your teeth’s exposure to acidity and staining agents.
- Drink from a straw.
Using a straw to drink your coffee might occasionally skip your teeth, limiting direct contact with the beverage.
How do you drink coffee while avoiding stains? Simply put, drink in moderation. Dentists recommend no more than two cups per day. Furthermore, do not skip routine brushing and visits to your local dentist twice a year.
