Despite the health benefits, drinking too much coffee can leave a lasting mark on your smile. In fact, research shows it can increase your risk of cavities because it's acidic, which can erode your enamel. As your enamel becomes thinner, it can also lead to tooth sensitivity.
You'll also want to drink your coffee in moderation – up to two cups a day is fine, provided that you already have a great oral hygiene routine. A cup of coffee is a great way to start the day, and thankfully, there's no reason why you should stop drinking coffee if you have a great oral hygiene regimen.
Like any other food or drink you consume, coffee can increase the risk of plaque buildup on the surface of your teeth. Black coffee is acidic and can erode your tooth's protective enamel layer, which is needed to help protect your teeth from bacteria that may cause tooth decay.
Thankfully, with a bit of effort, coffee stains on teeth do go away, and for those dedicated to their smile, some changes to your coffee drinking habits could help prevent stains from even forming.
Always rinse with water.
By rinsing your teeth off quickly, however, they are less impacted by the tannins in your morning cup. Therefore, one of the ways that avid coffee drinkers can keep their teeth white is to rinse with water after drinking.
While it is possible to strengthen and fortify enamel with substances such as fluoride, it is important to understand that no product can cause lost enamel to “grow back.” Once your tooth's enamel is worn away, it is worn away forever, and can only be restored with synthetic solutions such as veneers.
But you could be damaging the enamel on your teeth, especially if what you are consuming is acidic like coffee. Acid will weaken your enamel, which can increase your chances of cavities or tooth decay, so you should wait 30-60 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating or drinking.
Coffee is acidic, which can lead to the erosion of tooth enamel. Coffee also is known to stain teeth. We don't want either of these things to happen, but dental experts agree that brushing BEFORE you drink coffee is better than after.
Over time, regular consumption of coffee stains teeth. This is why regular coffee drinkers often notice tooth discoloration and yellowing. Tannins are also found in other teeth-staining drinks like black tea and wine.
Both drinks are also high in acid, which can cause the enamel to soften, allowing the tannins to have an easier surface to stick to. So which drink goes easier on your teeth? The answer is: Coffee. Tea has higher levels of both acid and tannins, resulting in more teeth stains.
White tea, yerba mate, and rooibos are great coffee alternatives that won't stain your teeth. White tea comes from the same plant as green tea, but is minimally processed to preserve its health benefits. As an added bonus, research shows that white tea may also prevent cavities and gum disease!
Opt for Decaf or Cold Brew
If possible, drink decaf coffee. Since it contains less caffeine, it's less likely to stain your teeth. If you're not a fan of decaf but would like to prevent stains, you can brew your coffee cold. While cold brewing may take longer, it can effectively prevent coffee stains.
The germs and bacteria inside your mouth multiply during the night. When you drink water in the morning before brushing, it will clean out your mouth and make tooth-brushing more effective. When you make a habit of drinking water before brushing, you will notice your immunity becoming more robust.
In most cases, it's best to brush your teeth before breakfast. This ensures that your enamel is protected and that you don't run out of time before leaving the house for work or school. Sugar-free gum is a great way to clean your teeth and achieve fresh breath after breakfast while also supporting a healthy smile.
"Individuals should try to balance the potential stimulating benefits of caffeinated coffee in the morning with the potential for higher blood glucose levels and it may be better to consume coffee following breakfast rather than before," said Harry Smith, who led the study, as quoted by NottinghamshireLive.
As the enamel continues to erode, your teeth might turn a gray or yellowish color. If your teeth change shape, it's a good indicator that you have enamel damage. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial.
Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content.
While a yellow hue near the gum line can be an early sign of tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems—it is usually an indication of dental plaque or tartar. Dental plaque develops due to bacteria in the mouth combined with food byproducts and proteins.
Baking soda is good for teeth whitening because it is a very mild abrasive, which helps remove stains from the surface of your teeth. In addition, baking soda is alkaline and salty, which helps lighten acid-based food stains – such as those from coffee, tea, and red wine – on teeth.
Treatment of tooth enamel loss depends on your individual needs. Your dentist may recommend tooth bonding (filling the damaged areas with tooth-colored resins) to protect the tooth and improve its appearance. If the enamel loss is more severe, a crown may be necessary to protect the tooth from further decay.
“Certain foods that are high in tannins, such as red wine, are potential causes of yellow teeth,” notes Crest. Other teeth-staining foods include coffee, citrus fruits and juices, soft drinks, teas, berries, tomato-based sauces, curry, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce.
Highly acidic drinks damage tooth enamel. The most acidic drinks are sugar-sweetened ones. Soft drinks (including diet soda), sports drinks and energy drinks, and iced and sweet teas all contain high levels of acid that contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel. Even 100% fruit juices are acidic.