Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and if you’re like millions of other Americans, it can be hard to imagine starting your day without it. Whether you drink drip coffee, espresso, fancy lattes, or cold brew, there’s no better way to get going in the morning.
That said, if you have a serious coffee habit, that could have an impact on your oral health. If you’re wondering how and what you can do about it, here are some ways in which coffee can affect your teeth.
Leaving Stains Behind
The biggest impact that coffee can have on your smile is its ability to discolor your teeth. Part of this owes to its dark color, but that isn’t the only factor. For one, coffee is fairly acidic, which can erode away some of the surface layer enamel. This allows stains to penetrate more deeply than they could otherwise.
Coffee is therefore uniquely good at discoloring your teeth. If you find yourself starting every day with a cup of joe, you may start to see your smile yellow more than you’d like.
How to Prevent Coffee Stains
Of course, the most obvious way to prevent coffee stains is to drink less of it. Even just cutting back from two cups a day to one can make an impact on how your smile looks.
That said, you can still enjoy a morning coffee while limiting its impact on your oral health. Drinking your coffee with a straw is a great place to start, as this will reduce its contact with your teeth as a whole.
You can also try drinking water with your coffee, as this will wash away pigments before they can set into their smile. And finally, you may want to make a habit of brushing your teeth after finishing your coffee each morning.
Dealing With Discolored Teeth
If you find that your teeth have started to yellow, there are a few things you can do to try and reverse the damage:
- Start brushing with whitening toothpaste
- Get professional teeth whitening from your dentist
- Use veneers or direct bonding to cover up teeth with severe stains
Reach out to a cosmetic dentist—they’ll be able to help you get your smile shining again in no time.
About Our Practice
At Omega Dental of Bedford, we know that visiting our office requires you to dedicate your time to us, so we work hard to ensure that it isn’t going to waste. We’ll make sure that we understand your family’s unique situation so that you can get precisely the dental care that you need. We also offer flexible hours, so you can get great oral healthcare on your schedule.
If you have any questions about how coffee can affect oral health, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (817) 518-6915.