How Coffee May Be Protecting Your Teeth

Cup of coffee and beans

If you’re one of those who can’t start their day without coffee, we have news. While adding sugar, creamer, and flavoring to your coffee is bad for your teeth, black coffee can be great. Quite a few of us have been led to believe that all coffee is bad for your smile. Recent studies have revealed that this isn’t necessarily the case. The facts about coffee and your oral health aren’t summed up in the common beliefs. Read on to discover how your morning cup of joe may just help your smile stay beautiful.

How Coffee May Be Protecting Your Teeth

Like everything in life, coffee is best taken in moderation. This is a particular point if you take your coffee with cream, sugar, or as a paragraph-long recipe. However, if you take your coffee black, you may have a pleasant surprise in store. Even without doctoring, your coffee is a source of acid that can harm your teeth. However, it’s also the source of certain substances that can enhance their durability. A good thing to know is that coffee itself isn’t immediately responsible for your tooth decay. That’s mostly, but not entirely, due to the sugar and other additives.

Coffee itself has been discovered to contain a variety of important enzymes. These enzymes serve to protect from the bacteria that cause cavities. Without all of the additional ingredients, your coffee is working hard to protect the health of your teeth. Ongoing research involving coffee has demonstrated that harmful bacteria in the mouth are reduced when it’s taken black. Levels of plaque, tartar and other biofilms also increased at a lower rate. Coffee, in spite of its reputation, has been revealed to be a powerful dental ally.  

There are three ways you can start taking advantage of these benefits:

  • Intersperse your consumption of coffee with water to neutralize the acids
  • Add cheese to your snack rotation, especially after drinking coffee
  • Avoid cleaning your teeth within an hour of drinking a cup of coffee

That last one may seem counterintuitive. Toothpaste can actually soften your enamel temporarily. Waiting an hour ensures that your teeth have time to take advantage of the fluoride. In the end, they’ll be stronger than before. Drinking coffee within this time period opens your risk of dental staining from the coffee.

Taking these steps can ensure that your oral health isn’t as strongly impacted by your coffee habit. It’s important to remember that coffee is still acidic and can therefore cause damage to your teeth. These extra steps will ensure you can reap the benefits it offers without the drawbacks.

Talk To Your Dentist About Your Coffee Habit To Learn More

In spite of its long-standing reputation for damaging teeth, coffee can be your dental ally. The trick is learning how to take advantage of its benefits without also falling victim to its disadvantages. Speaking to your dental specialist is the best way to learn all the right information about this drink. There is no such thing as too much information, so schedule a visit today!