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Coffee Impacts Oral Health

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the United States, with approximately half of American adults enjoying this drink. Whether cozying with a warm mug or grabbing an iced drink on the go, coffee is a staple in many individuals’ daily routines.

However, coffee can be harmful to your oral health in many ways. Dr. Marvin Kaplan, a dentist in Cincinnati, OH, describes how you can enjoy coffee while considering the health of your teeth.

coffee and oral hygiene in Cincinnati Ohio

Beware of Teeth Staining

Darker-colored beverages like coffee contain tannins which can absorb into tooth enamel and leave stains on your teeth. These stains cannot be removed with teeth brushing or flossing.

Adding milk to your beverage or choosing a lighter-colored brew can lower the risk of tooth discoloration when drinking coffee. However, this does not eliminate the risk, and dentists recommend enjoying this drink in moderation. If you notice yellowing, staining, or discoloration in your teeth, you can ask your dentist about professional tooth whitening treatments.

Skip Added Sugar

Coffee has a naturally bitter flavor, so many people add sugar to their drink to enhance the taste. Sugar can be harmful to your teeth because it interacts with bacteria in your mouth to become acidic. The resulting acidic plaque can eat away at tooth enamel.

This can lead to dental problems like tooth decay, which can ultimately result in tooth loss. Lost enamel cannot be replaced. To protect your teeth from irreversible damage, you should avoid adding sugar when possible.

Stay Hydrated

A boost of caffeine from a cup of coffee is appealing for many coffee drinkers. However, caffeine can dehydrate you, which can cause health issues throughout your body.

Low hydration levels can leave you with dry mouth, which allows bacteria to spread more easily through your mouth. It raises your risk of infections like gum disease. If left untreated this can also cause tooth loss and other dental concerns.

To counter this, you should drink water along with coffee. It has the added benefit of rinsing lingering food or drink particles from your mouth as well, which can prevent additional bacteria spread.

Visit Your Dentist in Cincinnati, OH

Dr. Kaplan offers professional teeth whitening and other cosmetic dental treatments to patients in Cincinnati, OH. Our practice also specializes in restorative and general dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 513.342.2644.