The average American consumes 3.5 cups of coffee per day!
While coffee may give you that jolt of energy that you need to wake up in the morning, it can bring negative effects on your oral health. The dark color and acidic makeup of coffee makes it damaging to your teeth. However, your cup of joe impacts more than just the color of your teeth.
Here, we discuss the effects of coffee on your oral health and the best ways to get rid of coffee stains on your teeth.
Any drink that isn’t water can cause damage to your teeth. The following are some of the negative effects of coffee on your oral health:
Drinks like coffee can cause bacteria to grow leading to enamel erosion. The enamel is the outer, hard layer of the tooth. When the enamel is damaged, the tooth becomes thin and brittle. Once the enamel is damaged, the inner parts of the tooth become exposed and more severe damage is possible.
Tea, coffee, and red wine are the most common culprits for tooth discoloration. Coffee is a rich, dark color that contains tannins. When the tannins build up on the tooth enamel, staining occurs.
While your coffee may have an appealing aroma, it can wreak havoc on your own breath. The bold flavor of coffee affects your saliva production. With the decrease in saliva comes an increase in odor-causing bacteria. This results in bad breath for you.
One of the perks of coffee is the caffeine. However, that is another downfall. The caffeine and tannins play a role in creating dry mouth. Caffeine causes slight dehydration while the tannins inhibit saliva production causing the feeling of dry mouth.
For coffee lovers, cutting out coffee may not be an option. So, if you still want to drink your coffee, consider the following tips to prevent stains or to remove existing discoloration from your teeth.
Let’s be realistic, you aren’t going to brush your teeth after every cup of coffee. However, if you just rinse your mouth, you can remove some of the stain-causing substance before it has a chance to cause damage to the enamel.
Protect your teeth by maintaining good oral habits. Use an electric toothbrush for a better clean. Additionally, a whitening toothpaste that contains baking soda or hydrogen peroxide can help you remove surface stains at home. Daily flossing also removes bacteria and debris before they can turn into tartar and cause lasting damage.
Everyone, not just coffee drinkers, should visit their dentist every six months for regular teeth cleanings. During a routine cleaning, your hygienist uses special tools to remove plaque, tartar, and some surface stains. Keeping up with your regular appointments is a great way to reduce teeth stains.
Yes, there is a difference between commercial and professional teeth whitening products. Commercial or over-the-counter products include whitening strips, brushes, and toothpastes. While widely available, store-bought products are less effective and can cause tooth sensitivity.
Professional teeth whitening with your dentist is a safe, effective way to get a dramatically whiter smile.
At Dr. Roy Jennings Dentistry, we offer teeth whitening in Monroe, NC. We utilize the Zoom! teeth whitening system. With this system, the bleaching agent is applied to the teeth and then activated with a blue light. Treatments can be customized based on the patient’s needs and can whiten up to 8 shades in a single office visit.
Contact our dental team today to get rid of the coffee stains on your teeth!
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