Today, more than half of Americans start their mornings with a cup of coffee. While the caffeine and sugar in a typical cup offer a slight energy boost, coffee can actually contribute to poor oral health. That’s why the cosmetic dental care experts at Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska in Anchorage recommend taking extra care of your teeth and gums if you’re a coffee lover. This group of oral surgeons provides patients with a variety of surgical procedures to improve their oral health and appearance. They are dedicated to helping you achieve the beautiful smile you deserve.

To help you better understand how coffee can affect your oral health, these oral surgeons want to make you aware of three things to be on the lookout for:

• Teeth Stains: Since your tooth enamel is very porous, drinking too much coffee can have a serious impact on your smile. Dark-colored foods like coffee can penetrate the enamel and cause long-lasting stains. An experienced cosmetic dental care professional can help you resolve this.
• Enamel Erosion: Coffee is a very acidic substance, and that acidity can do a number on your tooth enamel. It’s not uncommon for enamel erosion to occur if you’re a regular coffee drinker. You can reduce your risk of enamel erosion by drinking coffee with a straw or rinsing your mouth with water after you have a cup.
• Bad Breath: The caffeine in coffee can have a drying effect on your mouth, leaving you with less saliva to combat bacteria. Without adequate saliva, bacteria can grow and cause bad breath.

If you would like to learn more about cosmetic dental care from the oral surgeons at Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska, be sure to call (907) 561-1430. You can also visit them online to learn more about their services, which include tooth extraction, dental implants, and jaw surgery.