If, like many people, you find it a challenge to get started in the morning without a cup of coffee, you may worry about the problems coffee can cause in your mouth. As the old adage goes, if it can stain your clothes, it can stain your teeth – and it’s important to be aware that the tannins in coffee, wine and tea can cause compounds to stick more easily to your teeth.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to give up your morning coffee altogether. There are many ways to reduce the harm done to your teeth by coffee, and some of them are so easy, you won’t even notice that you’re doing your teeth a favour!
Top Tips to Minimise Coffee Damage to Teeth
- Avoid sugar in your coffee.Sugar in your coffee can speed up the growth of discolouring bacteria, so by ditching the sugar, you’ll be helping
your teeth as well as your waistline. - Drink with a straw. It may not feel the same to begin with, but drinking anything that has the potential to stain your teeth through a straw
will reduce the amount of the drink that is in direct contact with your teeth and lower the chances of staining. - Take care of your teeth. Don’t neglect your dental hygiene routine if you’re a coffee lover. It’s even more important to brush twice daily
and floss regularly, and to visit your dentist once or twice a year. - Eat before you drink coffee. Don’t drink coffee on an empty stomach, as this can cause bad breath and an acidic environment that is ideal
for tooth and enamel erosion. Eat some food before you drink coffee, and always brush your teeth after you have finished. - Get whitening treatment. Your dentist or dental hygienist will help you to remove coffee stains from your teeth with simple and professional
whitening treatments that restore your bright smile. Talk to your dental practice about the options for whitening, as these can vary a great deal both in
time and in cost, and you can look forward to whiter teeth in the future.
However, according to some studies, coffee that is high in caffeine can actually help to destroy the bacteria that cause dental plaque, especially if you take your coffee black. So don’t despair, you can still feel good about your morning coffee, just don’t forget to brush afterwards!
Are You Looking for a Ballincollig Dentist?
Are you looking for a friendly and experienced Ballincollig Dentist? Guiney Dental Practice offers professional dental practitioners who can care for your teeth and give you the bright, white smile you dream of. To make an appointment, call the Guiney Dental Clinic today on 021-481 0535.