Coffee and Oral Hygiene
Coffee and Oral Hygiene
By The Wave Agency
Coffee is a favorite energy-boosting, good-tasting drink that many Americans rely upon in the mornings. However, it should be noted that overconsumption of coffee can lead to oral hygiene issues down the line. It is important to educate yourself as to what coffee can potentially do to your teeth, and learn how to reduce consumption of coffee drinks.
Even just one cup of coffee every day can increase your chances of oral health complications, including cavities and teeth staining. Coffee can also contribute to bad breath due to its reactions with your oral bacteria. When it comes to discoloration, coffee has an active ingredient known as tannin, which can cause tooth discoloration to accelerate.
Some believe that coffee’s brown coloring alone is what allows for it to discolor your teeth, but this is not true. Through adding creamer or other agents to change the color of your coffee, tooth discoloration is still possible. Creamer, typically being sugary, is also something that can lead to poor tooth health and both erosion and discoloration.
A lesser-known aspect of coffee consumption is also coffee’s effects on bad bacteria. By bolstering the strength of bad bacteria, coffee can create an acidic environment within your mouth, leading to tooth erosion among other complications.
In order to avoid the oral health issues that coffee can bring, reducing coffee consumption is something that many dentists believe is necessary. However, for those who are coffee lovers, not all hope is lost. Through the use of straws, coffee can be enjoyed with less of an effect on your teeth. There is also the option of a single cup of coffee a day, enjoyed in a short period (or even espresso as a substitute), rather than something sipped and constantly in contact with your teeth throughout a long period. Brushing, flossing, and drinking water after coffee consumption can also reduce teeth stains.
No matter your dental needs, whether or not you are an avid coffee drinker, getting checked by a dentist can be a massive benefit to your oral health.
e.s.i. Healthy Dentistry puts patient comfort first, so schedule an appointment today to find how your oral hygiene needs can be met!
