In the United States, people drink hundreds of millions of cups of coffee per day. The average American coffee drinker has about three cups daily. Most people drink coffee because it helps them wake up and gives them a little boost in the morning, but most people ask the question, “Is drinking coffee bad for my teeth?.”
Coffee can be good for you. It is chock full of antioxidants and it can give your memory a little boost as well as battle cognitive decline. Coffee has even been shown to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and certain kinds of cancer.
Is Coffee Bad for Teeth?
While coffee has some health benefits, drinking too much of it can be bad for your teeth. Here is what you need to know about why too much coffee can damage your teeth and gums:
- Coffee is a highly acidic beverage. The acid in coffee can erode the enamel on your teeth and aggravate your gums.
- Coffee can and does stain your teeth.
- Coffee has a strong scent that lingers, this can lead to or add to bad breath.
- If you add sugar and cream to your coffee it is similar to drinking soda. The sugar and acid can lead to cavities and other damage.
Can Java Cause Tooth Decay?
Coffee can be a culprit of tooth decay. When the highly acidic coffee lays on the teeth, it starts to cause a breakdown of enamel. The enamel is a hard coating that protects the teeth. Without this coating, the teeth will become weaker and more sensitive.
The weakness created by the acid makes the teeth vulnerable to cavities and discoloration. Often coffee drinkers want to have their teeth whitened from the stains a daily cup of joe leaves.
Is One Cup of Joe a Day Bad for Your Teeth?
One coffee a day is far better than three or four coffees per day, however, even one cup can cause problems if you don’t take good care of your teeth.
The trick to drinking coffee and not damaging your teeth has to do with how you drink your coffee, not how much of it you have.
Is Black Coffee Worse for Teeth?
Black coffee is worse for teeth in terms of how acidic it is and how much it stains the teeth. However, if you take sugar and cream with your coffee, this may help to mitigate these factors while making others worse.
Does sugar really hurt your teeth? Coffee with cream and sugar is about the equivalent of soda. The acid in the coffee is still present and the addition of sugar will compound the likelihood of it causing problems like cavities.
How to Drink Coffee Without Hurting Your Teeth
Most people can’t or won’t give up their morning cup of joe. If you have to have coffee, here are a few tips for doing it in the healthiest possible way for your mouth.
- Drink your coffee through a straw to eliminate contact with your teeth.
- Eat something with your coffee, this will help to move the acid along rather than have it just sit on your teeth.
- Rinse your mouth after drinking coffee, but don’t brush right away. Water can help rinse away the acid of coffee, but if you brush right away you can actually do damage by brushing the acid into your teeth.
- If you are concerned about staining try whitening toothpaste. However, be careful as the combination of coffee and harsher toothpaste could lead to sensitive teeth.
Visit Your Local Dentist in Oxnard, CA
If you drink coffee regularly, you may be more prone to dental problems than the average person. Make sure to visit your local dentist regularly to prevent any problems and for help with whitening your teeth.
Reach out to Bella Dental and schedule an appointment now if you are experiencing sensitivity in your teeth, are interested in teeth whitening or have questions about any of our dental services, including tooth extractions and dental implants.