As we age, our teeth begin to become discolored. But other factors can increase the extent and speed of this discoloration. Coffee is something many of us turn to as a morning pick-me-up. But it can have detrimental effects on your teeth. Dr. Mark Sowell, a dentist in Plano, TX, explains how coffee impacts your smile.
Staining Your Teeth
One of the biggest impacts coffee has is that it can stain your teeth. It contains tannins, which contribute to this. These color compounds stick to your teeth, causing the yellow-brown hue that you may already be familiar with. It only takes one cup of coffee to cause staining. The severity of staining can vary from patient to patient.
The best way to get rid of coffee stains is obviously to give up coffee. But this isn’t an option for many of us. Professional teeth whitening can help you keep your smile bright and white. At our office, we offer ZOOM! teeth whitening. In just an hour at our office, you can get teeth up to eight shades whiter. Take-home kits are also used for touch-ups to keep things bright.
Bad Breath
When you’re drinking coffee, it tends to linger in your mouth and get stuck on your tongue. It also decreases the amount of saliva that’s in your mouth. Saliva is essential for washing away bacteria and food particles. With less saliva, bacteria are more likely to grow, resulting in the dreaded coffee breath.
Harming Your Tooth Enamel
One thing to keep in mind is that coffee is an acidic drink. Drinking too much coffee can erode your enamel and cause your teeth to wear down faster. Modern flavored coffee can also be filled with sugars and syrups for a sweet taste. The more sugar that your teeth are exposed to, the more issues you can have with your teeth.
To help avoid the problems that coffee can cause, it’s important to take precautions. After you drink coffee, be sure to drink plenty of water to help saliva regenerate and wash acid away from your teeth. Chewing sugar-free gum after drinking coffee can also help with saliva production and help you avoid coffee breath.
It’s also important to make sure you’re brushing your teeth regularly. If you can, brush your teeth after drinking coffee to address any issues as soon as possible. Visiting your dentist regularly is essential as well. Regular checkups and cleanings help track any problems caused by coffee and prevent them.
Visit Your Plano, Texas Dental Office Today
We want to help you have the brightest smile, even with a coffee habit! We’ll help keep your teeth healthy and shiny. Call us or schedule a consultation online to get started.