National Coffee Day Facts: 3 Ways Coffee Can Affect Your Smile

Coffee is what keeps most people in a good mood and awake at their jobs, attentive while they care for their children, or energetic while socializing with friends. The world’s reliance on coffee is pretty phenomenal, which makes sense why so many people celebrate National Coffee Day in the United States every September 29^th. From a dentist’s point of view, coffee is actually not bad for your oral health, despite its reputation, but there can be some drawbacks by drinking too much of it. Read on to learn three interesting ways that coffee can affect your smile.

It Can Help Fight Off Cavities

A study published in 2009 in the Journal of Conservative Dentistry looked at the possibility that coffee could actually minimize people’s risks of developing cavities. They took 1,000 people without any oral health problems or major medical conditions and tracked their coffee intake both with and without milk. What they found was that people who consumed an average of three cups of roasted coffee a day over a 35-year period of time got fewer cavities. Turns out, this is because coffee is an active fighter of Streptococcus Mutans, which is a type of bacteria that causes dental caries in the mouth.

It Can Cause Brown Tooth Discoloration

It’s not really a surprise that coffee can discolor your teeth over time, especially if you drink it frequently, but do you know why this happens? It’s because coffee is high in tannins, which are organic compounds that make up the color of certain beverages and foods, like red wine, coffee, rhubarb, and black tea. When you consume these items, the tannins interact with carbohydrates, proteins, and sugars in the mouth, which are the same substances that plaque is made of. They can attach themselves to the enamel of your teeth and cause extrinsic and intrinsic staining.

It Can Give You Dry Mouth

Even though coffee is a liquid, it can still give you dry mouth. This is because it contains caffeine, which can cause slight dehydration. The problem is, saliva does a lot of work when it comes to preventing oral health problems, like washing away harmful oral bacteria and neutralizing enamel-eroding acid produced by those bacteria. That’s why it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day if you’re drinking coffee.

Coffee isn’t all bad for your smile, especially if you’re just drinking black coffee without any additives or sweeteners. By staying hydrated with water and keeping up with your regular oral hygiene routine, you can help combat dry mouth and any issues that can arise from it. For help with tooth discoloration as a result of coffee consumption, you can speak with your dentist about professional teeth whitening.

About the Author

Dr. Ukti Phadnis has been practicing dentistry for years, and she’s passionate about staying up-to-date with the latest research and findings in her field. She provides comprehensive dentistry to patients of all ages, with a focus on preventive care like checkups and cleanings. She is also dedicated to providing detail-oriented care that allows her patients to enjoy results that can stand the test of time. To schedule a checkup and cleaning, visit Wethersfield Dental Group’s website or call 860-400-3007.