Even your
family dentist cannot deny the alluring power of coffee, which is why many dental professionals have found ways to keep oral health in top shape without giving up this beloved beverage. If you just have to have that daily cup of joe, follow these tips to prevent any mouth misfortunes.
How to have your coffee and protect your dental health at the same time:
1. Use a straw
Before you take that first sip of coffee, grab a straw to keep teeth clean.
How it helps
When you drink coffee without a straw, the liquid has an easier time swishing around your mouth, sticking to and staining teeth along the way. A straw corrals the liquid and allows it to go more directly to the throat, so it will touch teeth less and reduce the chance of staining.
2. Add milk
In addition to adding a creamy, delicious flavor to coffee, milk can also help keep teeth white despite coffee’s reputation for staining.
How it helps
Tannins, particles found in coffee, stick to teeth and cause the yellowing associated with drinking coffee and tea. According to a study in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, the milk protein casein attaches to tannins and prevents them from sticking to teeth. This helps stop staining of the teeth.
3. Drink water too
After each cup of coffee, your
family dentist and the ADA recommend following up with a glass of water.
How it helps
By drinking water after coffee, you can rinse the tannins away. Otherwise, the tannins will remain on the teeth and cause yellowing. Another benefit? Intentionally adding more water to your coffee routine is a great way to stay hydrated.
4. Chew gum
While coffee has many benefits, it is infamous for causing tooth yellowing and bad breath. Combat both effects at once by chewing sugar-free gum. Make sure to choose sugarless gum with the ADA seal, as sugar can lead to cavities.
How it helps
According to the ADA, chewing gum helps increase saliva production. Saliva can rinse out food debris, carry away the tannins left by your coffee, neutralize acids from bacteria and even carry calcium and phosphate, which is known to strengthen tooth enamel. The ADA recommends chewing sugar-free gum for about 20 minutes after eating or drinking coffee.
5. Do not add sugar
While sugar can help take the bitterness out of coffee, it is better to leave it out of the cup. Instead, experiment with different coffees until you find one you enjoy in its more natural state.
How it helps
Any
family dentist will warn of the havoc sugar can wreak on teeth. Sugars are attractive to bacteria, which can later lead to cavities and tooth decay.
Conclusion
Your family dentist probably loves coffee just as much as you do. If you want to continue drinking this magical elixir without compromising those pearly whites, talk to your family dentist for more advice on keeping your teeth healthy.
Request an appointment here: https://buforddentist.com or call North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry at (770) 932-1115 for an appointment in our Buford office. Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.