How Does Drinking Coffee Affect Your Teeth?

Australia is well-known for its renowned coffee scene, with 75% of adults in the country drinking one cup or more each day. Coffee is an inherent part of Australian culture, and that is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Unfortunately, there are several downsides to consuming coffee day after day. The dark liquid can stain and damage your teeth over time; however, there are a number of simple ways to minimise the detrimental effects.

In this article, we’ll discuss how drinking coffee impacts your dental health and what you can do about it if you’re not ready to give up your favourite morning beverage.

What does coffee do to your teeth?

When you consume coffee or other dark beverages like red wine, you run the risk of staining your teeth. These types of drinks contain dark pigments called chromogens, which can attach themselves or enter the pores of your tooth enamel (the outermost layer of your teeth). Eventually, this can lead to discolouration and heavy staining.

On top of that, coffee is also highly acidic, which can erode your enamel and leave you susceptible to further discolouration. Even though it is the hardest substance in the human body (even harder than bone), enamel can still be negatively impacted by dark and acidic liquids.

In addition to your teeth, coffee also has other detrimental side effects on your mouth. You are probably familiar with “coffee breath,” which is the unofficial nickname for the unpleasant way that many coffee drinkers’ breath smells after consuming the beverage.

How can you minimise these adverse effects?

There are a handful of tactics that you can adopt to keep your smile bright. First, make sure to rinse your mouth out with water thoroughly after drinking coffee. Doing so helps prevent the coffee from lingering in your mouth and staining your teeth.

Second, try drinking your coffee through a straw instead of straight out of the cup. Using a straw will decrease the level of contact between the coffee and your pearly whites, therefore minimising the potential of stains.

Another tip is to add milk to your coffee instead of drinking it black. This can greatly help reduce the discolouration.

Last, keep up good dental hygiene habits. This includes flossing, brushing your teeth twice per day and scheduling regular appointments with your dentist. Practising good oral hygiene will not only help minimise the aesthetic damage caused by coffee and other dark liquids, but it will also ensure that your teeth are strong and healthy for years to come.

If you’re in search of a reputable dental clinic near Sydney, visit our team at Parramatta Dental Avenue. Whether you need cosmetic dentistry, emergency dental work, or preventative care, our professional team is happy to help. We recognise that going to the dentist is not the easiest experience for everyone, so we aim to make our patients’ visits as comfortable as possible.

To organise an appointment or learn more about our practice, call us on 1300 315 540 or submit a contact form. Our knowledgeable team of dentists in Parramatta is eager to make sure you feel confident about your smile.