The Connection Between Coffee and Dental Health

For many people, the day can’t start until they have their morning coffee. This popular beverage is a pleasant way to start of the day for many, but how does it impact your smile? Are there any oral health issues you should be aware of? With National Coffee Day coming up on September 29^th, it’s important to know how to enjoy the holiday without damaging your pearly whites. Read on to learn about the relationship between coffee and dental health and how to protect your smile while enjoying your favorite beverage.

The Positive Affects Coffee Has on Your Smile

Whether you like your coffee hot, cold, or frozen, there are some things you need to know about how it can impact your smile. Drinking coffee in moderation can actually have a positive effect on your smile. Scientists believe that antioxidants, which are found in coffee, help reduce inflammation in the body. This means that it can be beneficial when it comes to oral health conditions like gum disease. Coffee also contains trigonelline, which can help prevent cavity formation.

3 Potential Oral Health Complications of Drinking Coffee

Unfortunately, not everything about coffee and dental health is good news. There are a few ways that it can harm your smile, such as:

• Tooth decay– Though trigonelline can help protect from cavities, the acidity of coffee does the opposite. Acid weakens your enamel and makes your smile more susceptible to decay. This effect is worsened if you add sweet syrups and creamers to your morning cup.
• Stained teeth – Coffee contains tannins, which can stick to your enamel and stain your smile.
• Dry mouth – Drinking coffee inhibits your mouth’s ability to produce saliva, which can lead to dry mouth. This makes you more likely to develop cavities.
• bad breath – Dry mouth also creates an ideal environment for the bacteria that are responsible for halitosis, which is more commonly known as bad breath.

5 Tips for Enjoying Coffee without Dental Damage

Now that you know more about the relationship between coffee and dental health, is there a way to safely enjoy this beverage? A few ways to keep your smile safe from harm include:

• Drink coffee in moderation – Try to keep your coffee consumption down to one cup in the morning and one later in the day if needed.
• Finish your coffee quickly – This will prevent the tannins from sitting on your teeth for too long.
• Drink coffee through a straw – This will keep it from having as much contact with your smile.
• Eat mouth-healthy foods – Foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, dairy, and fish can offset some of the negative effects of drinking coffee.
• Keep your teeth clean – Consider brushing and flossing your teeth 30 minutes after finishing your coffee to prevent staining.

Though you may want to celebrate National Coffee Day, be sure to do it the healthy way. This will help prevent dental health issues to keep your smile looking lovely and stain-free!

About the Practice

Drs. Derek Metzger, Nate Truckenbrod, and Madalyn Werner are highly skilled dentists who take pride in treating patients in both Waupun and Beaver Dam. They use their skills to beautify Wisconsin one smile at a time. Along with their team at Dentistry of Wisconsin, they offer a range of treatments to prevent oral health issues. They can also teach you about the connection between coffee and dental health so you can keep your smile healthy. To make an appointment or for more information, call their Waupun office at (920) 324-3881, their Beaver Dam office at (920) 887-2112, or visit their website.