Many of us rely on the energy-boosting effects of coffee to get moving each morning. In fact, 64% of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee every single day (National Coffee Association, 2018). Clearly, we are a culture of coffee consumers in every sense of the word. But it’s important to remember that coffee, just like everything, can have harmful effects to the body when consumed in excessive amounts. In particular, our teeth are sensitive to coffee’s powerful ingredients.
50 Shades of Enamel
Perhaps one of the more obvious side effects of drinking too much coffee is tooth discoloration. Coffee contains tannin, a brownish bitter-tasting organic substance present in some galls, barks, and other plant tissues, consisting of derivatives of gallic acid. Tannin is a poly-phenol also found in wine and tea. This natural color compound is so powerful it sticks to the teeth leaving behind yellowish tints on the enamel. For the daily coffee consumer, the excess exposure to tannin can cause the enamel to accumulate hard-to-remove stains over time.
Fixing the Stains
If you’re a dedicated coffee enthusiast, don’t fret. There is certainly a way to maintain your pearly whites if you’re diligent. The most important thing is to remember is to schedule your biannual cleanings to have your teeth treated properly. The professional tools dentists use during cleanings contribute to a more thorough cleaning experience than we are accustomed to on a daily basis with our basic toothbrush and paste. So take advantage of your dentist’s resources and expertise whenever you can.
You may also consider using baking soda occasionally as a whitening method to remove stains at home. And it might not be a bad idea to invest in a whitening toothpaste for daily use. Further, try using an electric toothbrush at home for an even deeper clean.
When you can, drink iced or cold coffee with a straw to reduce the accumulation of direct contact between coffee and your teeth’s delicate enamel. Such a simple adjustment to your coffee drinking experience could save you lots of time and energy with removing stains.
The Strength of our Chompers
Bacteria from coffee can grow in the mouth causing teeth to become weak and enamel to erode. Coffee is acidic, meaning it has a pH below 7. So be sure to rinse the mouth with water after drinking coffee, and try snacking on fiber-rich fruits and vegetables to help break down bacteria and naturally clean the teeth until you can properly brush them.
Again, coffee is highly acidic, so it’s never a good idea to brush your teeth less than 30 minutes after drinking coffee (or any other acidic food or beverage, for that matter). Anything acidic will surely beat up on the teeth’s enamel and weaken them over time.
Breathing Easy
While many people love a good cup of joe, it’s no secret that the effect it can have on the odor of breath is not always pleasant. Bacteria build-up on the tongue from coffee can lead to poor smelling breath or even halitosis in more severe cases. So remember to brush thoroughly and clean the tongue to avoid such build up.
Balance is Key
More than 82% of Americans are consuming coffee at varying frequencies. For that reason, dentists are even more vocal about the direct effects that coffee has on the mouth. While coffee is a drink of choice for many Americans, we must remember that anything consumed in high amounts has its pitfalls. Let’s not forget about the health of our teeth as we sip that next cup of coffee.