Did you know that roughly 400 million coffees are consumed throughout America every day? If drinking this energizing and delicious beverage is a part of your daily routine, then you may already know that National Coffee Day in the U.S. is coming up – it’s on September 29th this year! As it approaches, there’s no better time to see if you’re drinking coffee the smile-friendly way (and what happens if you aren’t).
Is Drinking Coffee Bad for Your Teeth?
Coffee has numerous benefits, including its energizing effects and delicious taste. Unfortunately, however, it isn’t the best for your teeth. Since it’s acidic, it can quickly eat away at your enamel, increasing your chances of cavities in the process.
It’s also important to note that the rich color of coffee means it can leave behind stubborn stains. While dental discoloration doesn’t always impact your oral health, it can certainly make it more difficult to smile confidently.
Finally, the additives in coffee, like sugar (or creamer loaded with sugar) pose a risk to the health of your teeth since this sweetener is one of the leading causes of tooth decay.
How To: Drink Your Coffee the Smile-Friendly Way
Don’t worry – you don’t have to give up coffee entirely for the sake of your oral health. Instead, be proactive about protecting your teeth by:
- Using a straw – One of the easiest ways to keep coffee from lingering on your teeth is by using a straw. This can be more difficult if you enjoy this caffeinated beverage hot, but it’s well worth it.
- Sipping on water – Sipping on water periodically will help rinse residue off your teeth. For the same reason, you should thoroughly rinse with water after you’ve finished your cup.
- Brushing 20 minutes after – Due to the acidic nature of coffee, it’s best not to brush your teeth right away. Instead, complete your oral hygiene routine about 20 minutes later.
About the Practice
At Winthrop Street Dentistry, our team shares a passion for creating healthy, beautiful smiles. While that often involves providing preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and even emergency dentistry, we also view providing helpful tips and recommendations as an important component of that. At your biannual checkups, we would be more than happy to answer any questions you have as well as provide recommendations on how you can improve your oral health from home. Of course, you’re always welcome to give us a call between visits too! If you want to learn more about the effects of coffee on your oral health or you’d like to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (508) 756-0990.
