Coffee and Your Teeth: Good or Bad?

How places are there to get coffee in Lincroft? Too many to count. Coffee shops, diners, fast-food drive-thrus, not to mention your own kitchen. Coffee is everywhere. As a matter of fact, it is one of the most widely consumed substances in the world. Not only does it help you get going in the morning, it has also been shown to increase energy, sharpen the mind, and even prevent prostate cancer.

But is is good for your teeth?
At Newman Springs Dental Care, we want your smile to be as healthy as possible. So, let’s take a look at what coffee is doing to your teeth.

Does Coffee Fight Tooth Decay?

A recent study has shown that roasted coffee beans fight the bacteria that causes tooth decay. This is big news for coffee lovers all over the world! Coffee has been shown to have a variety of general health benefits, but now there is evidence that it may even prevent cavities.

Don’t start celebrating yet. There is more to the story.
One thing to consider is that, even if coffee does fight the bacteria that causes tooth decay, it is also very high in acid, which is hard on your teeth’s enamel. Drinking too much of liquids that are high in acid, like coffee, can weaken your enamel. Your enamel is what protects your teeth, so if it is weakened or wears away, then your teeth become more vulnerable to decay.

So, it would seem that in one way, coffee is good for your teeth, yet in another way, it is not. However, there are ways to enjoy your coffee while limiting the negative effects of the acid it contains. For one, you can drink your coffee with a meal, or a healthy snack that is high in fiber. The physical act of chewing produces saliva, which neutralizes food acids to protect your teeth. Also, you can follow your coffee with a large glass of water. The water will dilute the acid and wash it from your teeth, so that it doesn’t eat away at your precious enamel.

One of the most important things to remember is that the cavity fighting property of coffee only applies to coffee with no additives. They study shows that the reduction in tooth decay was only for those people who take their coffee black with no sugar. So, if you are adding sweeteners and cream to your coffee, you are negating any of the dental health benefits.

Will Coffee Stain My Teeth?

Coffee very well could be staining your teeth. In fact, it is no secret that coffee is one the biggest teeth stainers out there. Coffee contains darks pigments that can attach to the enamel of your teeth, and after time, these pigments can yellow your teeth and darken your smile.

It is a myth that adding cream to your coffee will keep it from staining your teeth. The dark pigment is still there even if you mix it with dairy, and as we mentioned above, adding creamer takes away from the health benefits of drinking coffee.

Again, drinking water is a good practice to protect your teeth. If you drink the water directly after your coffee, it will wash away the pigments and keep them from staining your teeth. Of course, brushing will help, too, but wait a while because the acid in coffee weakens the enamel to the point where brushing may actually damage your teeth.

Remove Coffee Stains with Teeth Whitening

If your teeth have already experienced some staining from drinking coffee, then you should consider a professional teeth whitening solution. At our office in Lincroft, NJ we have help many of our patients remove coffee stains from their teeth. To remove coffee stains we prepare dental trays with the appropriate amount of dental bleach, and apply them during your visit. Sometimes the treatment will continue at home, depending on your needs.

Teeth whitening is not permanent, but each treatment should last a few years, depending on your habits. You may be able to do some touch-ups at home.

Make an Appointment

At Newman Springs Dental Care, we want to make sure you have the smile you want, whether you drink coffee or not. We offer a variety of services to meet your dental care needs. Visit our office in Lincroft soon to see what we can do for you. Call today to make an appointment!