Coffee: Because Giving it Up is Not an Option!

Coffee provides you with an excellent way to perk up in the morning, but it can affect your dental health. While more and more research is emerging on the benefits of coffee: such as preventing diabetes and lessening the chances of kidney disease, you should keep the following information in mind. These tips can help you enjoy your coffee each day while also protecting your teeth.

Stained Teeth

One of the most common problems linked to coffee is teeth stains. When you drink coffee, your teeth can take on a yellowish or brownish color over time. These stains set in as coffee gets into the tiny grooves on the surface of your teeth. Going for routine dental cleanings can help remove these stains. Our dental hygienists are equipped with the best tools to remove staining from your teeth with instruments such as the cavitron and prophyjet. You can also help lower the amount of staining coffee causes by drinking it with a straw if possible or brushing your teeth immediately after you finish your cup. Professional teeth whitening might also reduce or remove teeth staining.

Bad Breath

When you drink coffee, it ends up coating your tongue, which can cause you to have bad breath. You can prevent this from happening by brushing or scraping your tongue when you're done drinking your coffee. Ask your hygienist for a tongue scraper at your next appointment. Keep in mind that if you have persistent bad breath, it could indicate a problem with your teeth or gums.

Tooth Decay

While coffee doesn't directly cause tooth decay, it can create conditions that make your teeth more vulnerable to this problem. Coffee with sugar or sweetened creamer draws bacteria to your teeth. This bacteria produces destructive acids that eat away at your tooth enamel, which increases your risk of tooth decay. You can lower this risk by brushing your teeth after you drink coffee and having regular dental cleanings to get rid of plaque buildup.

If you have teeth staining, contact Great Lakes Dental to set up an appointment. We offer teeth whitening and other cosmetic services to give you a beautiful smile.