Coffee is a staple in many households. A majority of American adults drink at least one cup of coffee every day. Despite coffee’s popularity, many people do not realize that it can have an impact on your oral health.
While coffee can threaten the structure of your teeth if you are not careful, you do not have to give up your favorite drink altogether. With proper preventive oral healthcare and help from your dentist, you can keep your smile looking and feeling its best as you drink coffee. Find advice to ensure your smile stays beautiful and healthy while you continue to enjoy coffee when you read on.
Look Out for Dental Discoloration
Coffee’s deep and dark color comes from natural substances called tannins. Tannins will transfer to your teeth as you drink coffee, where they can absorb into your tooth’s enamel and leave dark stains behind on your smile. Your toothbrush cannot scrub away deep dental discoloration.
Your dentist can offer cosmetic dental solutions to get rid of tough tooth stains. But ideally, you should preserve the naturally bright color of your smile.
Pay attention to the color of your teeth, and let your dentist know about any changes you perceive. You can reduce the likelihood of forming dental stains by sipping coffee through a straw, choosing a lighter-colored brew, or adding milk or another liquid to dilute the beverage.
Avoid Adding Excess Sugar to Coffee
Coffee has a bitter taste on its own that many people do not find palatable. To enhance its flavor, many people add sugar to their coffee. Though the sweetness may be delicious, sugar infamously poses a threat to your dental health.
When sugar reacts with saliva, it becomes acidic. The resulting acid can erode your tooth enamel. This can weaken the teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities.
Avoid added sugar wherever possible to preserve your dental structure, including in your cup of coffee. Consider alternative ingredients if you want to flavor your coffee, such as cinnamon or vanilla.
Drink Water Along with Coffee
Many people appreciate the energy boost that comes from a caffeinated cup of coffee. But caffeine tends to dehydrate you, which can introduce risks to your overall health, including your smile.
When you become dehydrated, you may produce less saliva in an effort to retain fluids. This can leave you with dry mouth, an uncomfortable sensation that also can hurt your oral health.
A dry oral environment can allow your mouth’s natural bacteria to spread with greater ease. Then you can face a greater risk of oral infections, including gum disease. Gum disease can cause significant damage to your entire smile and will require treatment from a dentist to eliminate, so you should prevent contracting it whenever you can.
Drink plenty of water when you consume coffee so that you can stay hydrated. This will fight dry mouth conditions that will also protect your gums from infection.