One common misconception is that coffee causes tooth decay. The truth is that coffee doesn't directly contribute to cavity formation; it simply makes it easier for cavities to form. Coffee may not be as bad for your teeth as was previously thought.
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.
Sweetened coffee drinks combine the acid of coffee with tons of sugar, which means they're much worse for your oral health. While you can enjoy sweet coffee beverages in moderation, your teeth will be better off if you primarily drink black coffee.
Does Coffee Fight Tooth Decay? A recent study has shown that roasted coffee beans fight the bacteria that causes tooth decay. This is big news for coffee lovers all over the world! Coffee has been shown to have a variety of general health benefits, but now there is evidence that it may even prevent cavities.
Tooth enamel does not grow back, but it can be restored to some degree by remineralization. Using mineralized toothpaste and mouthwash can strengthen your remaining enamel as the minerals will be drawn to the weak spots in your teeth and bond with the surface.
Add milk to your coffee.
When you add milk to your coffee, it lightens the color of the drink and it actually provides your teeth with protection for the staining acids in the coffee. Milk, if it comes from an animal like a cow, is high in protein that binds to the polyphenols in 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. If you don't brush your teeth before drinking coffee, the coffee can bind to the plaque that is on your teeth.
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.
Eat More Enamel-Strengthening Foods
High-calcium foods both neutralize the acid that harms enamel and can help add minerals back into tooth surfaces. As the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests, dairy products are a great calcium source, but many vegetables also are calcium-rich.
Does Black Coffee Cause Cavities? Unfortunately, there is some truth to this. Coffee can be a very acidic drink, especially if you love your black coffee. So it goes without saying, that if you are a daily drinker of coffee, it can lead to enamel erosion, causing your teeth to become more thin and brittle.
Coffee lovers are abundant but the fact is coffee is very acidic and contains Tannins. Enamel is the hardest part of teeth it weakens due to acidic properties of coffee and leaves yellow stains on teeth.
Keep hydrated and healthy: Coffee is a diuretic, meaning it is something that dehydrates your body. This makes it really important to replenish your body and re-hydrate every time you indulge in a delicious brew.
What Can Be Done to Whiten Yellow Teeth? If you're looking for a radical change in the coloring of your teeth, you need professional-grade whitening to get the job done. Your cosmetic dentist can provide treatment that penetrates deep into the enamel and removes years of stains with a powerful bleaching agent.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Using this mixture removes bacteria and buildup of plaque to get rid of surface stains. Create a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste and use it to brush your teeth. After that, use water to rinse the mouth. You can also create a mouthwash using equal amounts of each ingredient.
The dark pigment of coffee can also stain teeth after extended exposure to a tooth with weakened enamel. However, because soda has a dark pigment that can stain teeth, coffee is the better choice of beverage, between the two, for overall dental health.
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.
So while permanent tooth loss can occur at any age as an adult, significant averages in partial and total tooth loss tend to occur in people aged 50 years old and above.
The Case for Sipping Coffee Slowly
If you drink coffee over a longer time period, the caffeine will be released into your system more slowly. It'll also make it less likely that you'll feel an undesirable caffeine “crash.” Drinking a cup of coffee slowly lets your body take its time processing the caffeine.
Takeaway. When you're looking to protect your tooth enamel, brushing right after you wake up in the morning is better than brushing your teeth after breakfast. If you have to brush your teeth after breakfast, try to wait 30 to 60 minutes before you brush.
A regimented routine of rinsing mouthwash around the mouth for 30 seconds after drinking coffee, could go a long way to combatting the negative impact of coffee on the PH balance of your mouth and the subsequent dental health problems it can lead to.
When drinking from a cup, the liquid washes over the teeth before swallowing. Using a straw to drink beverages like coffee, tea or soda significantly minimizes the staining effect. Sure, drinking coffee or wine with a straw might seem strange, but it certainly helps when it comes to keeping teeth stain-free.
We know this may seem like a myth, but it's true. Drinking with a straw instead of sipping directly out of a cup can protect teeth. But how, exactly? When we drink through a straw, less of the liquid comes in contact with teeth, and less contact means less sugar or acid is left hanging around.
A recent study looked at coffee and its relationship to bone health. The study, which looked at data on 564 people, found people who habitually drank coffee had higher bone mass density than non-coffee drinkers.