Throughout the world, coffee has become one of the most important beverages for adults, leading to a dedicated holiday for it: National Coffee Day on September 29. Whether you stay at home with little kids, work in a high rise building downtown, or wake up with the sun to farm, coffee simultaneously warms, calms, and energizes you. It can also help you feel less cranky! However, it does have some downsides. With the knowledge and tips below, you can cherish your daily coffee without sacrificing your teeth!
Problems with Coffee for Your Mouth
Although coffee may give you a burst of energy and focus in the morning and afternoon, one of the world’s most beloved beverages can come with some unfavorable side-effects for your smile:
- Its dark color eventually stains teeth by getting into the porous surface of enamel, giving them a darker yellow tint and making you and your grin look older.
- Coffee is typically acidic, which means it erodes materials—in this case, enamel. Too many acidic substances in your diet can weaken teeth so they decay and crack.
- The smell of brewing coffee can be so satisfying, but the stench of coffee in your breath can be much less appealing.
- Despite being made of liquid, coffee tends to make your mouth feel a bit dryer than normal, meaning your mouth produces less saliva. Because of this effect, acid-producing bacteria can increase and change the microbiome in your mouth.
Ways to Consume Coffee Safely for Your Pearly Whites
Your regular cup of caffeinated (or decaffeinated) joe may not be the healthiest choice in terms of your oral health, but fortunately, you can reduce these problems, enabling you to continue enjoying your routine while not putting your teeth at risk.
Don’t Sip Coffee Throughout the Day
When you slowly consume your cup of coffee, it prolongs exposure and makes it difficult for your saliva to wash all of it out of your mouth. Instead, try to drink the whole amount of coffee with a meal, when your mouth produces the most saliva and take sips of water here and there. Not only will this keep you hydrated, but it will also reduce the time your teeth are exposed to the acidic, dark beverage.
Consider Drinking Coffee Through a Straw
When you drink through a straw, the fluid has less contact with your teeth. As a result, you can still benefit from your morning java without suffering the negative impacts of it. This same principle applies to drinking soda, juice, and other sugary or acidic beverages.
Maintain Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits at Home
Oral hygiene requires daily effort, which can feel overwhelming with your busy schedule. Fortunately, however, you only need to devote a total of about six minutes to brushing for two minutes once in the morning and once in the evening as well as flossing one time per day to remove superficial stains and bacteria.
Visit Your Dentist for Regular Cleanings and Checkups
Even thorough brushers and flossers need to see the dentist every six months at least, because it’s difficult to clean every surface of your teeth each day. In addition to examining your teeth for cavities and infection, this beneficial office can professionally clean your teeth, leaving them feeling sparkly and bright and ready to face many more cups of coffee ahead.
Get Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment
Over time, teeth will eventually absorb color from foods and drinks, and store-bought products rarely make a significant difference. Professional whitening, in contrast, uses a higher concentration of bleaching agent that can lift as many as 10 shades of discoloration. You may choose between take-home whitening kits and in-office treatment that takes about an hour to complete.
Regardless of which day you celebrate and enjoy your coffee, make sure you preserve your teeth through these safe, easy actions!
About the Author
Dr. Stephen Boyles has taken over Boyles General Dentistry & Dental Implant Center from his father, Dr. Franklin Boyles, who has served the Midland community so well for decades. He, too, is a master with the Academy of General Dentistry, which means he has proven his dental expertise through rigorous testing and clinical experience. To schedule an appointment at our practice, please reach out to us online or call 432-685-7011.