Table of contents:
- What are the effects of coffee on teeth?
- 1. Tooth discoloration
- 2. Tooth enamel damage
- 3. Tooth grinding
- How can you prevent coffee-induced tooth decay?
Have you ever watched the teeth of coffee enthusiasts and non-coffee drinkers? Is it different? Coffee fans who always drink coffee in the morning, you may have to be careful because coffee might affect the health of your teeth. Yes, it turns out that coffee has an effect on teeth, you know.
What are the effects of coffee on teeth?
Usually, what you know about the effect of coffee on teeth is related to tooth discoloration. However, more than that, it turns out that the effect of coffee can also be related to dental health. The following are some of the effects on teeth due to drinking too often coffee.
1. Tooth discoloration
Coffee's effect on teeth is often found in the form of discoloration of your teeth. If you are a coffee fan, your teeth may be colored differently than people who don't drink coffee. Reporting from Healthline, Victoria Veystman, from New York City's Cosmetic Dental Studios, explained that the tannin compounds in coffee appear to be responsible for the discoloration of your teeth.
Tannins are a type of polyphenol compound that can break down in water. These tannins cause the color compounds in coffee to stick more easily to your teeth. These color compounds then continue to settle on your teeth, changing the color of your teeth. Your teeth have turned yellow in color compared to the teeth of people who don't like to drink coffee.
Apart from tannins, other compounds in coffee that make tooth discoloration easy are acids. The acids in coffee can make tooth enamel softer and coarser, making it easier for stains to stick and discoloring your teeth.
2. Tooth enamel damage
Enamel or tooth enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth. This coating keeps the teeth strong and healthy. If the enamel is eroded, your teeth will be prone to damage. Your teeth can become cavities or become more sensitive when the tooth decay gets inside. Well, one of the things that can erode tooth enamel and cause tooth decay is the caffeine in your coffee. Reducing the amount of coffee you consume per day can help protect your tooth enamel from decay.
3. Tooth grinding
Large amounts of caffeine can have the effect of stress and the inability to sleep well at night. This can make you grind your teeth while sleeping at night. Tooth grinding can cause jaw pain and pain in your teeth.
To avoid grinding teeth while sleeping, you should not drink coffee within four hours of bedtime. You can also limit your coffee consumption per day to reduce stress levels and difficulty sleeping at night.
How can you prevent coffee-induced tooth decay?
Don't worry, coffee tooth decay can be prevented in several ways. How to?
- You can drink coffee with a straw to minimize contact between the teeth and coffee.
- Also limit the use of creamer and sugar as this can accelerate the growth of bacteria attached to the teeth.
- Eat fruit, such as strawberries and lemons, after drinking coffee. This fruit contains natural fiber which can help clean teeth.
- Don't forget to brush your teeth after you're done drinking coffee.
- Also, do regular dental cleaning every six months to the dentist.
