Coffee is a popular beverage in the United States, with approximately half of all American adults enjoying this drink regularly. Whether cozying with a warm mug or grabbing an iced drink on the go, coffee has become a staple to many individuals’ routines.
However, coffee can be detrimental to your smile in many ways. Dr. Heather Adams, a dentist in Rogers, AR, describes how you can drink coffee while preserving your oral health.
Protect Your Smile While Drinking Coffee
Beware of Teeth Staining
Dark-colored beverages, like coffee, contain tannins, which can absorb into tooth enamel and leave stains on your teeth. These cannot be removed through traditional tooth brushing.
Adding milk to your drink or choosing a lighter-colored brew can lower the risk of tooth discoloration, but these do not eliminate the possibility of staining completely. If you notice staining, yellowing, or discoloration in your teeth, you can talk to your dentist about professional tooth whitening treatment.
Skip Added Sugar
Coffee has a naturally bitter taste, so many individuals add sugar to their drinks to enhance the flavor. However, sugar can be detrimental to your dental health.
Sugar reacts with bacteria in your mouth to become acidic and eat away at tooth enamel. Brushing teeth directly after consuming sugar worsens this effect because already weakened enamel thins even more with the action of brushing over teeth.
Continuous good oral hygiene practices may strengthen your teeth, but this cannot prevent tooth decay due to sugar consumption for long. For this reason, sugar should be avoided where possible, including in your coffee.
Stay Hydrated
Many individuals appreciate the caffeine boost that comes from drinking a cup of coffee. Caffeine is known to dehydrate you, which can negatively impact multiple systems of your body, including oral health.
Low levels of hydration can leave you with dry mouth. This condition allows bacteria to spread through your mouth more easily, heightening your risk for infections like gum disease.
Gum disease can progress if the infection is not treated and ultimately lead to tooth loss. Drinking water along with a cup of coffee can counter dehydration and keep your mouth healthy.
Schedule a Dentist Appointment Today in Rogers, AR
Dr. Adams offers professional teeth whitening and other cosmetic dental treatments to patients in Rogers, AR. Our practice also specializes in restorative, implant, and general dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 479.431.4212.