Most people’s morning rituals are comprised of begrudgingly waking up and stumbling to the coffee maker to brew a pot of coffee. As soon as you take that first sip, you feel ready to tackle the day, though! In celebration of the beverage that keeps most people up and running, National Coffee Day was formed, a national holiday that takes place on September 29th. Unfortunately, this daily drink can have a variety of impacts on your smile, which many people aren’t aware of. Read on to learn how coffee can affect your oral health and the best ways to drink it.
The History of National Coffee Day
It wasn’t until the mid-1600s that coffee arrived in the colonies from Britain, and since that time, it has become one of the most consumed beverages in the country. In fact, each day, it’s estimated that the US population consumes 400 million cups of joe, with the average American coffee drinker consuming three cups per day.
To celebrate this incredibly popular energizing beverage, September 29th was dubbed as National Coffee Day in 2005, with many popular coffee shops and retailers offering free coffee because of it!
How Does Coffee Affect Your Oral Health?
While coffee is best known to give you a jolt of much-needed energy, it’s also known for causing some aesthetic and oral health-related issues, like dental staining, dry mouth, and more.
With the average American drinking three cups of coffee per day, it’s no surprise that this beverage is known to lead to dental staining, like yellowing teeth. If you drink your coffee black, you’re more likely to experience this!
In addition to staining your teeth, coffee is also known to cause dry mouth, and in turn, bad breath. The caffeine in coffee causes your blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow as well as salivary gland production. As a result, you may notice that after you drink coffee, your mouth feels dry. If you have several cups of joe throughout the day, you can also experience bad breath due to this.
Lastly, because coffee is so acidic, it has also been linked to weakened enamel, which is the outermost protective layer of the teeth. Weakened enamel can put you at a greater risk of developing cavities as well as dental sensitivity.
Smile-Safe Ways to Drink Your Coffee
Taking care of your smile doesn’t mean cutting coffee out of your diet completely! There are several steps you can take to reduce the effects of the acid and tannins in coffee that cause dental staining and enamel erosion:
- Drink your coffee from a straw to reduce direct contact with the teeth.
- Avoid sipping on coffee throughout the day, resulting in long-term exposure and extended dry mouth.
- Wait at least 30 minutes after you brush your teeth to drink your coffee.
- Stay hydrated with water throughout the day to increase saliva production, decreasing your risk of developing cavities due to bacteria accumulation.
- Add milk to your coffee to help minimize staining and strengthen enamel.
By following these tips, as well as visiting your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings, you can continue enjoying the energizing boost of coffee without having to worry about its negative effects on your smile.
About the Practice
Dr. John Ludu and Dr. Rhenu Sharma have combined years of experience helping patients of all ages maintain healthy, happy smiles. With their skills and training combined, they’re able to offer a comprehensive menu of dental services, ranging from routine checkups and cleanings to cosmetic and restorative services. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit DuPont Family Dentistry’s website or call 253-964-7000.