Imagine a typical morning. You wake up in a fog and groggily shuffle to the kitchen to make yourself a cup of coffee before you can start functioning for the day.
You probably live by the motto, “But first, coffee.” It is a must-have for you that helps to kick-start the day and wake up proper while others like the routine of a hot, steaming cup in their hands while they work. Whether it is a freshly brewed Americano from Starbucks or a simple Nescafe at home, this caffeinated beverage never fails to put a smile on our faces.
What does coffee do to your teeth?
But have you ever thought that it could also be making those smiles less brilliant? A grave concern of frequent coffee consumption has to do with our oral health and may not be good for our teeth.
A cup of coffee a day can increase the chances of cavities. It can also contribute to bad breath as a result of its thick scent and the way it increases oral bacteria in the mouth.
How does coffee stain your teeth?
Your teeth enamel may be the hardest substance in the human body but it is not flat and smooth.
In fact, it contains microscopic pits and ridges that food and drink particles can get stuck in. And the pigments from dark-coloured drinks like coffee, tea, and soda can become embedded in those cracks and ridges which can lead to permanent, yellowing stains. This is known as tooth discolouration.
Adding creamer to coffee will not stop it from discoloring your teeth. In fact, the same pigments and acids present in darker-colored coffee are also found in lighter-colored coffee. Also, creamer and sugar only speed up the growth of bacteria.
What is tooth discolouration?
Tooth discolouration occurs when brown or black pits appear on the surface of the teeth. The symptoms include white streaks, yellow tints, or brown spots or pits. It typically comes on slowly, however, those who frequently drink coffee and/or tea may find that it starts on the backs of their teeth first.
If you thought that lighter coloured coffee would stain less, you might want to think again. The same pigments and acids are present in coffee, whether it is black or with cream or milk. Adding cream to your coffee will not prevent your teeth from getting stained, unless you put significantly less coffee in your cup to make room for the cream, which defeats the purpose of coffee.
How to prevent tooth discolouration?
If you want to prevent the “coffee smile”, the best way is to give up coffee, tea, and other tooth-staining beverages. Although for most people, this is not acceptable.
Rather than abstaining, have your coffee at specific break times instead of sipping constantly throughout the day. After finishing your coffee, rinse your mouth out with water or brush your teeth to remove the potentially yellowing pigments from your teeth.
You can also use a whitening toothpaste with your brushing routine to maintain whiter teeth at home. Paying regular visits to your dental professional for deep cleanings can also help to remove the difficult stains on your teeth.
Of course, the best way to prevent tooth discolouration is to completely remove coffee and tea from your daily consumption. Not only do your save money on buying coffee or paying through your nose for a brew at Starbucks, but you can also save a lot on dental costs.