Millions of Americans consume at least one cup of coffee every day, and they consider it an essential part of their daily routine. Despite its widespread popularity, this beverage may be harmful to the health and appearance of your teeth.

But if you stay vigilant, you can avoid giving up your favorite beverage to maintain your dental health. If you think your teeth have been damaged due to unknown reasons, contact an Irving orthodontist. 

How Does Coffee Affect Your Dental Health?

• Forms stain on teeth.

Tannins, which give coffee its black color, can seep into your teeth’s enamel over time and form stains. These stains penetrate more deeply than the surface of the teeth and are not readily removed by regular oral care procedures.

By adding milk to your coffee, drinking through a straw, or selecting a lighter-colored brew, you can minimize the risk of your teeth getting discolored from coffee consumption. However, the risk will not wholly vanish as a result.

Ask your dentist about in-office teeth whitening if you have noticed any yellowing, stains, or dullness in your smile. You can keep the greatest possible look for your smile with the help of your dentist.

• Avoid adding sugar.

Since coffee has an aggressive flavor by itself, many coffee lovers enhance the drink with sugar. Even though the sweetness can be appealing, sugar can be bad for your teeth.

When sugar and saliva interact, the result is an acidic mixture that can damage tooth enamel and cause cavities. Dental fillings are one way that your dentist can fix cavities, yet you can preserve the strength of your teeth by restricting your intake of added sugar, even in your coffee.

• Drinking water to prevent dehydration.

The caffeine rush that comes with a cup of coffee is one of the primary draws for coffee addicts. Although caffeine can boost alertness, it can also cause dehydration.

Dehydration can cause dry mouth as it reduces the flow of saliva. This unpleasant state increases your risk of oral infections like gum disease by enabling the rapid spread of germs between your teeth.

In addition to causing gum tissue inflammation, periodontal disease may severely damage your teeth and ultimately lead to tooth loss. By staying hydrated and drinking lots of water along with your coffee, you can avoid such issues.

Do not include extras. 

You are always provided with the choice of extras when buying coffee from a café. These additions include sprinkles, marshmallows, whipped cream, caramel, or chocolate drizzle. You can avoid excessive sugar consumption from harming your teeth by rejecting even one of these extras.

With your next coffee purchase, we hope that these suggestions will help you maintain your bright smile.