Coffee is one of the most popular drinks around the world. Millions of Americans consider this beverage to be a staple in their daily routine. But did you know that if you are not careful, coffee could harm the look and feel of your smile?
You do not have to give up your favorite drink in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Find preventative dentistry in Plano, TX and follow your dentist’s advice for at-home care. You can also read on to learn three ways to maintain good oral health as you enjoy coffee.
Protect Your Smile While Drinking Coffee
Beware of Tooth Discoloration
Coffee gets its dark color from naturally occurring substances called tannins. When you drink coffee, tannins will absorb into your tooth enamel, the outer layer of your teeth, over time. They will leave stains behind on the surface of your teeth.
You cannot get rid of these stains with your usual oral hygiene regimen. With tooth discoloration, you may begin to feel self-conscious about the way that your smile looks, which can impact other aspects of your life.
You might reduce the risk of forming these dental stains by drinking coffee through a straw or choosing a lighter-colored brew. But these efforts will not eliminate the risk entirely.
Pay attention to your smile and remain on the lookout for stains. If you do notice staining, yellowing, or dullness in your tooth color, ask your dentist about teeth whitening treatment options.
Avoid Dental Damage from Added Sugar
Coffee has a bitter taste on its own, so many coffee enthusiasts will add sugar to their beverage to make it sweeter, enhancing its flavor. Though you might enjoy this sweet taste, sugar infamously poses a threat to your dental health.
When it reacts with saliva, sugar becomes acidic. This acid can then start to eat away at your tooth enamel. Enamel will not regrow once gone, so this will leave your smile vulnerable to many dental dangers, including cavities.
Your dentist will ask you to steer clear of added sugar whenever possible, including in your cup of coffee, to protect your dental structure. If you do get a cavity, treat this early stage of tooth decay as soon as you can.
Drink Water to Protect Your Gums
One of the appeals of drinking coffee regularly is the jolt of caffeine that comes in a cup of this beverage. This can give you an energy boost to get you through your busy day. But caffeine can dehydrate you, which will pose a threat to your health, including your smile.
Low hydration levels will cause you to produce less saliva, which will give you dry mouth. A dry oral environment allows the natural bacteria in your mouth to spread with greater ease. This will increase your risk for oral infections like gum disease.
Gum disease can wreak major havoc on your oral health and may even cause tooth loss. Prevent this dental damage by staying hydrated. Compensate for the caffeine consumption in coffee by drinking water too.