If you love coffee, you’re not alone. According to a recent Gallup poll, 64% of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee every day. Although coffee tastes great and gives you the burst of energy you need to get through the day, it can poorly affect your oral health. C.R. Sfeir, D.D.S., General Dentistry explains how that daily cup of Joe can harm your teeth. For the past 20 years, the dentist has offered a variety of general dentistry services to Lorain, OH, residents, including tooth implants and root canals.

Coffee, tea, cola, wine, and other dark-colored foods and beverages tend to stain teeth. Although your tooth enamel may look perfectly smooth, it actually contains tiny pores that absorb stains. Brushing helps remove surface stains, but your toothbrush can’t reach deep inside your enamel to completely get rid of coffee stains.

Drinking coffee also increases your risk of tooth decay. Every time you enjoy a cup of coffee, your mouth is bathed in acid. Acid is one of the few substances that’s strong enough to destroy tooth enamel. The longer your teeth are exposed to acid, the greater the chance it will eat through your enamel, causing cavities.

Avoiding coffee completely is the best way to prevent staining and cavities, but that’s not always a realistic option. You can minimize acid damage by drinking coffee in one sitting, rather than savoring cup after cup for hours. After you finish your cup, immediately rinse your mouth to remove the acid. Drinking coffee through a straw is often recommended by dentists because it limits the amount of acid that reaches your teeth.

If you’re concerned about stains on your teeth from coffee or other substances, visit C.R. Sfeir, D.D.S., General Dentistry for teeth whitening treatment. Professional teeth whitening is very effective at removing the deep stains caused by coffee drinking.

Is it about time for your next dental visit? Call C.R. Sfeir, D.D.S., General Dentistry at (440) 960-5200 to schedule your appointment. Learn more about the services the dentist offers on the website, or visit the Facebook page for the latest updates.