How bad is coffee for my teeth?

Most people love their morning coffee. But, like many of our favourite foods and drinks, coffee can potentially cause problems for your teeth.

What’s the problem with coffee

Coffee contains tannins that stain teeth and creates acid that can damage tooth enamel. The addition of sweeteners also creates a bacterial playground in your mouth, setting up prime conditions for dental decay and halitosis (bad breath).

However, the most apparent effects of when coffee and teeth meet are not particularly threatening but cosmetic. Tannins in coffee will eventually stain teeth, turning those high-beam pearly whites into yellow-hued sodium lights.

Do I have to give up coffee?

Not all. Certain coffees actually have compounds that help prevent tooth decay. Besides, if we gave up everything that was potentially harmful to our teeth we’d have a bleak existence indeed. Nor is total elimination of our favourite morning beverage a practical measure. Running damage control on the effects coffee has on your teeth is a far more realistic solution.

What can I do about it?

Fortunately, there are several proactive measures you can take when coffee and teeth come together to make sure your dental health isn’t adversely affected. Like drinking your coffee without bacteria-feeding sweeteners that allow their waste products to attack tooth enamel. Limiting coffee intake is a good idea. If that’s not an appealing idea, it’s even more important for you to:

  • Thoroughly brush your teeth after you’ve had coffee.
  • Vigorously swish your mouth out with water when you don’t have immediate access to a brush and paste.
  • Have a snack. Eating before and after drinking coffee reduces the effects it has on your teeth.

Helpful hint: Apples have fibres that break down the sticky coating coffee leaves behind.

Many Dentists drink coffee too!

The most important thing you can do to counteract the damage coffee consumption can do to your teeth is to visit your dentist. Having a six-month dental exam and cleaning is key to maintaining healthy teeth and overall oral health. Plus, regular dental cleanings alleviate the stains that coffee can leave behind. Your dentist may even suggest you periodically brush with stain-removing baking soda, but wait until he suggests it – It is more abrasive than normal toothpastes and can cause tooth wear! If you are still concerned about the adverse effects coffee may have on your teeth, contact your dentist for more comprehensive information on how to maintain optimal dental health when coffee and teeth meet.

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Why dental health is so important for your overall health

True or false: The condition of your mouth can say quite a bit about your overall health?

Answer: True!

How is this possible? Just like most other parts of your body, your mouth contains bacteria. Millions, in fact. But the mere existence of bacteria in the mouth isn’t a problem… actually, it is a good thing. The problem is that when you aren’t in the best health, the types of bacteria in your mouth can become unbalanced. This can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections. Conditions that affect your dental health include:

  • Diabetes. This condition reduces your body’s ability to fight infections, which puts your overall health – including your dental health – at risk.
  • HIV/AIDS. People with uncontrolled HIV/AIDS can often get painful mucosal lesions in their mouth.
  • Osteoporosis. If you have osteoporosis, your bones loose density and weaken as they loose Calcium, this includes the bone that supports your teeth. You have a greater risk of loosing teeth through gum disease.
  • Alzheimer’s disease. People suffering from Alzheimer’s tend to have progressively poorer dental health, this is due to not remembering to clean properly,  or loosing the desire or capability to brush and floss.

Sometimes, issues in your mouth are not necessarily caused by overall poor health. For example, taking some blood pressure medications or antidepressants for mental health can affect the body’s production of saliva causing dry mouth (Xerostomia), Saliva fights bacteria, so its lack causes  loss of ability to keep the levels of bacteria in the mouth in check, resulting in oral health issues.

It also works the other way too. Not taking care of your dental health can lead to issues in other areas of your body. Prime examples include:

  • Endocarditis. This is an infection of the inner lining of your heart. This can happen when bacteria from one part of your body, such as your mouth, get in your bloodstream and latch onto any damaged areas of your heart.
  • Cardiovascular disease. Growing evidence suggests that problem bacteria in your mouth could be linked to clogged arteries, heart disease, and increased risk for stroke.
  • Pregnancy and birth. Poor oral health and gum disease can be factors involved in premature birth and a low birth weight.

Obviously, making an appointment to see your doctor is important for your overall health. But don’t forget regular visits to your dentist either! They know what to look for regarding your dental health, which can offer telling glimpses into your general well-being.

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How your dentist can fix bad breath

Those who take good care of their oral health and especially their teeth, tend not to face dental emergencies and unsightly decay. Apart from this, recent scientific research is finding that poor oral health has links with cardiovascular disease and even possibly Alzheimers disease. If these findings prove true a healthy mouth consequently is a roadway to a healthy body.  Therefore, we should keep our teeth and mouth clean and well maintained. If we do, we can expect to have a happier healthier life less prone to chronic disease as we age.

Reasons for Teeth Staining and Yellow Appearance

Our teeth are really very resistant to staining but if we eat and drink some things they will darken, as the enamel is porous and traps staining material.

  • Those who regularly drink coffee and tea will usually have yellower teeth.
  • Smokers are more prone to stained teeth.
  • Improper brushing is also a factor which contributes, as plaque and hard deposits build up on the teeth which also stain.
  • Heavy alcohol consumption can stain teeth depending on the type.
  • Cannabis smoking causes a green grey staining, dry mouth and often contributes to dental neglect whch allows staining to enter softened enamel.
  • Tetracycline antibiotics given during tooth development cause a dark brown/grey internal staining.

Brushing is Not the Only Thing

The yellowish shade caused by surface stains on your teeth does gets lighter with daily brushing but it does not completely go away if it has penetrated into the enamel. With time, the enamel of your teeth does thin and wear especially if we eat very abrasive foods, brush with too abrasive toothpaste (smokers toothpaste), grind our teeth or drink acidic beverages, this thinning makes the yellower dentine underneath show through more and cause the tooth to appear darker. In addition as soon as the enamel is penetrated and the underlying dentine is exposed teeth are more prone to stains. In this situation brushing daily and even flossing are not enough to help. With the newest possible dental care products, getting rid of most yellowing and staining in teeth is not a big deal, unless it has been caused by Tetracycline antibiotics where bleaching has to be undertaken over many weeks to be successful. Sometimes we may need to mask the stain with veneers or crowns.

Do not Purchase a Wrong Product

There are many types of dental care products which promise you wonderful results – beware! Whitening strips are one such product.  They make the yellowish teeth appear white but, they are not able to do so for a long period of time. Similarly, many toothpastes make the same claim but not much difference is seen.

How to Get the Shine Back in Your Teeth?

Consult your dentist. You will be guided in the best way possible. They will suggest the best reasonable treatment for you. Never ever make the decisions about your oral health on your own.  If the problem has just started, they might suggest that you get normal bleaching. It is neither costly nor takes much time. It will help maintain the proper shine of your teeth.

However, there might be some cases in which beaching is not the right solution. Your dentist will certainly let you know what your choices are. Nowadays dentists have different ways which you can get that winning smile once again. The best bleaching system is the home bleach, but it should be supervised by your dentist using custom made bleach trays to stop gum damage. Never use over the counter products unless your dentist prescribes them.

Today’s technology will result in over 90% of people being able to have that whiter and brighter smile.

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Dental tips for teens

Those who take good care of their oral health and especially their teeth, tend not to face dental emergencies and unsightly decay. Apart from this, recent scientific research is finding that poor oral health has links with cardiovascular disease and even possibly Alzheimers disease. If these findings prove true a healthy mouth consequently is a roadway to a healthy body.  Therefore, we should keep our teeth and mouth clean and well maintained. If we do, we can expect to have a happier healthier life less prone to chronic disease as we age.

Reasons for Teeth Staining and Yellow Appearance

Our teeth are really very resistant to staining but if we eat and drink some things they will darken, as the enamel is porous and traps staining material.

  • Those who regularly drink coffee and tea will usually have yellower teeth.
  • Smokers are more prone to stained teeth.
  • Improper brushing is also a factor which contributes, as plaque and hard deposits build up on the teeth which also stain.
  • Heavy alcohol consumption can stain teeth depending on the type.
  • Cannabis smoking causes a green grey staining, dry mouth and often contributes to dental neglect whch allows staining to enter softened enamel.
  • Tetracycline antibiotics given during tooth development cause a dark brown/grey internal staining.

Brushing is Not the Only Thing

The yellowish shade caused by surface stains on your teeth does gets lighter with daily brushing but it does not completely go away if it has penetrated into the enamel. With time, the enamel of your teeth does thin and wear especially if we eat very abrasive foods, brush with too abrasive toothpaste (smokers toothpaste), grind our teeth or drink acidic beverages, this thinning makes the yellower dentine underneath show through more and cause the tooth to appear darker. In addition as soon as the enamel is penetrated and the underlying dentine is exposed teeth are more prone to stains. In this situation brushing daily and even flossing are not enough to help. With the newest possible dental care products, getting rid of most yellowing and staining in teeth is not a big deal, unless it has been caused by Tetracycline antibiotics where bleaching has to be undertaken over many weeks to be successful. Sometimes we may need to mask the stain with veneers or crowns.

Do not Purchase a Wrong Product

There are many types of dental care products which promise you wonderful results – beware! Whitening strips are one such product.  They make the yellowish teeth appear white but, they are not able to do so for a long period of time. Similarly, many toothpastes make the same claim but not much difference is seen.

How to Get the Shine Back in Your Teeth?

Consult your dentist. You will be guided in the best way possible. They will suggest the best reasonable treatment for you. Never ever make the decisions about your oral health on your own.  If the problem has just started, they might suggest that you get normal bleaching. It is neither costly nor takes much time. It will help maintain the proper shine of your teeth.

However, there might be some cases in which beaching is not the right solution. Your dentist will certainly let you know what your choices are. Nowadays dentists have different ways which you can get that winning smile once again. The best bleaching system is the home bleach, but it should be supervised by your dentist using custom made bleach trays to stop gum damage. Never use over the counter products unless your dentist prescribes them.

Today’s technology will result in over 90% of people being able to have that whiter and brighter smile.

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