Should I Ditch the Joe?

​Coffee: The magical drink that helps us get moving every morning! While many people are thankful for the power that coffee grants them, it can have repercussions for your smile. Yes, coffee can cause a number of issues for your oral health, impacting that pearly-white smile and the well-being of your mouth.

So, should you ditch the coffee? Really?

Tannins: The Staining Compound!

Tannin is a staining compound. It is a polyphenol, meaning it breaks down in water, which causes food particles to stick to your teeth. This causes your pearly whites to turn to an off-putting yellow color. In addition, coffee causes acids in your mouth to become more prominent, causing tooth decay and other oral health issues.

So, if you have a bad habit of sipping coffee throughout the day, you might want to ditch that cup of joe. The more acids you consume, the more likely you are to promote acids that attack your teeth and gum line, causing infections.

But I Don't Want to Say Goodbye to Coffee!

Well, if you want to maintain that healthy smile, then you might want to consider healthy oral routines to adopt. This would include brushing and flossing regularly about 20 minutes after drinking every cup. But that isn't exactly practical, especially if you don't have access to a sink you can run to.

There is hope for your coffee addiction. A dentist can perform a biannual cleaning to remove those yucky stains, and you can even consider professional teeth-whitening treatments that can make teeth up to eight shades whiter.

Other Issues

Coffee can cause a series of other issues that could harm the well-being of your mouth. Excess caffeine can cause you to clench your teeth. Coffee ceamers and sugar in your favorite beverage cause cavities.

Coffee can also cause halitosis, or bad breath. By cutting out coffee and reducing bacteria in your mouth, you can reduce halitosis. This can be done by regularly brushing and flossing twice a day, as well as using mouthwash that treats bad breath.

If you really have to have that coffee, limit it to one cup a day, and look for alternatives to use in place of coffee, such as tea.

While you might not have to ditch that magical cup of coffee every morning, you do want to ensure that that cup doesn't ruin your smile. Just make sure you're following the guidelines above.

Want to ensure your smile remains pristine? Call 724-220-2347 to schedule an appointment today!