Coffee: For Better or For Worse?
Maybe you can't live without your morning cup of coffee or maybe you just like to brew an extra pot around the winter holidays. Regardless of why you indulge, coffee can affect more than just your energy and body temperature. Your cup of joe impacts your mouth in many ways, some are good and some are bad.
Stains
You are probably well aware of the unfortunate staining that coffee can do on your teeth, especially when it slowly sipped on. Dark colored foods and drinks can penetrate the porous enamel layer of your teeth, which can be hard to remove with simple brushing at home. See your dentist for a professional cleaning or teeth whitening and opt for a straw to have both a white smile and your coffee.
Enamel Erosion
Believe it or not, coffee is actually very acidic. This wreaks havoc on your enamel over time. Remember that your tooth enamel can be protected or "strengthened" but never replaced. To avoid enamel erosion after your morning coffee, rinse your mouth with water or use a straw instead of sipping. Make sure to wait at least an hour to brush, as this can cause more abrasive damage until the acids on your teeth are neutralized.
Bad Breath
Let's face it, your breath doesn't exactly smell like roses or mint after drinking coffee. Aside from the distinct flavor of coffee, the caffeine in your drink will also dry out your mouth. Once your saliva production is low, bacteria levels can increase and emit a foul odor. Grab a stick of sugar-free gum after you finish your coffee, which will freshen your breath and prevent dry mouth.
Destroy Plaque
Finally a positive impact that coffee has on your oral health. There is evidence to suggest that caffeinated coffee may actually help to destroy the bacteria that causes plaque formation. Watch out - these benefits will be negated if you pile on the sugar and creamer.
Anything you put in your mouth can affect your oral health on some level. Although you may not be able to pull yourself away from your daily coffee, try to implement some steps to lessen its negative impact on your smile. These can include using a straw and following your coffee regime with sugarless gum or a drink of water. At Timber Springs Dental, we want you to enjoy your coffee and retain a beautiful and healthy smile too!