For many people, the day hasn’t officially started until they’ve had a cup of coffee. Whether it’s the delicious smell and taste of a cup of joe or the caffeine boost that has you addicted, you’re certainly not alone in your love of a fresh, hot brew. According to the National Coffee Association, over 50% of Americans consume at least one cup of coffee per day. Unfortunately, this tasty beverage can have negative impacts on your oral health. Read on to learn how coffee affects your pearly whites and what you can do to protect them.
How Coffee Affects Your Teeth
In a study published by the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers found that drinking one cup of coffee per day can reduce your risk of being diagnosed with diabetes, having a stroke, and developing respiratory or kidney diseases. Unfortunately, drinking too much coffee can also cause a lot of harm. Excessive coffee consumption can increase your risk of halitosis, or bad breath, and it can result in cavities, enamel erosion, and tooth discoloration. Additionally, adding sweeteners and creamers to your brew can exacerbate these issues, which will likely lead to extensive dental damage.
5 Prevention Tactics to Implement Right Away
The good news? Even with the above in mind, you don’t have to give coffee up completely. There are a few best practices you can implement when drinking a cup of joe to protect your oral health, including:
- Use a straw – By drinking your coffee through a straw, this will keep it from coming into contact with your teeth.
- Moderation – Avoid drinking coffee throughout the day to lessen the amount of time your teeth are exposed to it.
- Drink water – This will rinse away leftover coffee and sweetener from your teeth.
- Brush and floss – About 30 minutes after you finish drinking a cup of coffee, brush and floss your teeth to lessen your chances of decay.
- Eat veggies – Crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery will reduce tooth discoloration and prevent bad breath.
How Your Dentist Can Help
If you’re having a hard time removing stubborn stains or heavy discoloration from your pearly whites, contact your dentist to see if they offer teeth whitening, dental bonding, veneers, or other cosmetic options. Attending regular dental checkups will also allow them to thoroughly clean your teeth and do an exam to see if there are any other factors that could be causing the discoloration.
You don’t have to completely cut out coffee to have a beautiful smile. By using the above steps and making sure to visit your dentist every six months, you can enjoy the smile of your dreams while sipping on a hot brew!
About the Practice
If you’re struggling to brighten stained teeth, Hilltop Family Dental and their many cosmetic offerings can help. Led by Dr. Robert Nicholas Slezak, they offer high-quality porcelain veneers, dental bonding, teeth whitening, and more to brighten up your pearly whites and help you achieve a smile that you’ll be proud to show off to the world. Call Hilltop Family Dental’s office at (440) 285-8211 or visit their website for more information on how drinking too much coffee can impact your teeth or to set up an appointment.