Americans love their coffee. The National Coffee Association reports that 64% of adults in the U.S. drink coffee daily, most starting each morning with a piping hot cup. All that coffee consumption equals about 400 million cups every day. Whether you’re a Starbucks fashion coffee drinker or prefer the delightful smell brewing in your kitchen, coffee can be both a blessing and a curse.

Coffee has many benefits to our health and well-being. Firstly, it can ward off diabetes and help make it more manageable for sufferers. It can prevent oral cancers and delivers superb cognitive benefits, energizing us when needed the most.

Coffee benefits our cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease, and improving cholesterol levels.

Coffee Effects on Oral Health

Dentists aren’t as pleased with the effects of coffee as other healthcare providers. Sure, coffee can have some benefits to our oral health, but my dentist in Mesa, AZ explained it all boils down to the type of coffee we drink and the amount consumed daily. He told me about how coffee can be detrimental to our oral health if we overdo it and do not consider the possible risks. Protecting my oral health matters to me; I welcomed the information and have adjusted my lifestyle to better protect myself.

Drinking a cup or two of unsweetened, pure black coffee every day has many benefits to your oral health.  Coffee isn’t the bad guy; it’s the additives we put into it that impact our teeth and gums. If you prefer sugar-laden lattes, frappuccinos, or cappuccinos throughout the day, you’re at an increased risk of oral health problems.

Although additional research is needed, some studies say black, unsweetened coffee can help prevent oral cancers. Evidence shows that the acidity of coffee can help prevent bacteria from sticking to the tooth’s surface, preventing plaque build-up. The same acid, however, can also weaken the enamel of the teeth, cause tooth erosion and discoloration, and lead to tooth decay over time.

Disadvantages of Coffee on Oral Health

Drinking sweetened coffee stains the teeth, especially if you keep a cup in your hand throughout the day. Heavy coffee drinkers often notice yellow or brown stains on their teeth. It’s important to minimize contact time coffee has with your teeth and take measures we’ll discuss below to reduce staining and discoloration.

Coffee increases your risk of developing cavities when sugar, cream, flavorings, or when adding other additions. It changes the situation entirely, and the positive benefits of coffee disappear, and the drink increases the risk of tooth decay.

Coffee breath can be brutal. Caused by sulfuric and acidic compounds, coffee breath happens due to a reduction in saliva production, giving bacteria the perfect breeding grounds. Bacteria feed on sugar and contribute to bad breath and odors.

How to Enjoy Coffee Without Negative Impacts to Your Oral Health

The thought of going a day without coffee is too burdensome of an idea for hardcore coffee lovers to bear. It’s the equivalent of taking oxygen from the air.

If you are one of those people, we have a few tips to help you adjust your coffee consumption routine rather than give it up entirely. Use the tips below, knowing they help protect your teeth and oral health.

• Take your coffee black, without sugar, cream, flavorings, or other additives. In other words, stay out of the Starbucks drive-thru line! About 30% of U.S. coffee drinkers consume it black. It’s time to jump on the bandwagon and join them.   Black coffee is the least damaging to your teeth. It tastes great, too.
• Like all amazing things in life, coffee should be enjoyed in moderation. Overindulging can worsen the negative impacts coffee has on our oral health. The FDA recommends consuming no more than four cups, or 400 milligrams, of coffee each day.
• Sip or swish water around in your mouth after drinking coffee. This will loosen plaque and tartar buildup, which reduces the impact on the teeth.
• Drink coffee through a straw. Sure, it may cause a few people to stop and stare, but the benefits on your oral health are worth the glares. Drinking beverages like coffee through a straw reduces tooth contact with harmful substances.
• Drink a cup of coffee in the morning rather than consuming it throughout the day. This reduces the time acid has to form on your teeth.
• Consume a crunchy vegetable, like a carrot, if you cannot brush your teeth after coffee.
• Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes each session using fluoridated toothpaste and a medium-bristle toothbrush. Daily brushing removes plaque, tartar, and food and particle buildup. Don’t forget to floss.

Visit Your Dentist

Schedule preventative care appointments with your dentist every six months. Regularly visiting the dentist is the best way to protect your smile. During each visit, the dentist examines your mouth, looking for cavities or other signs of trouble.  Early detection is key to resolving oral health problems before they become severe. It can be key in reducing cavities or tooth loss.

Dentists clean your teeth, removing any plaque or tartar buildup. Dentists may recommend fluoride treatments for some patients. The dentist also provides patients with information that helps them better care for their oral health.  

The Bottom Line

Millions of people start their day with a cup of hot coffee. It’s the best part of waking up, as the aroma of this beverage delights the senses when it fills every room in your house (or the car or office!) If you are a dedicated coffee drinker concerned about its impact on your oral health, use the information provided here to ensure you can continue enjoying your daily cup of Joe without worries about negative impacts on your oral health.

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