If you are one of the many people who enjoys a nice morning cup of coffee, then this short blog entry is for you. As you may already know, coffee can lead to changes in your smile over time. Our Glendale dentists are here to give you some tips on how to protect your smile from coffee-related damage.
One of the primary ways that coffee can change your smile is by staining your teeth. Regular coffee consumption leaves color deposits on your enamel, and makes your smile look older and darker. The good news is that this type of discoloration is often effectively treated with professional dental whitening treatments.
You can work to minimize staining by using a straw to drink your coffee. By using a straw, you allow coffee to bypass dental enamel. It may also be beneficial to rinse your mouth with water after consuming coffee. Rinsing your mouth with water limits the amount of time that staining coffee is able to sit on your teeth. Additionally, when you rinse your mouth with water, you trigger your body to produce saliva; saliva helps to neutralize bacteria and strengthen dental enamel.
When preparing your cup of coffee, keep in mind that black coffee is the healthiest choice for your smile. Adding cream and sugar to your cup of java gives oral bacteria more sugars to feed off of, and increases your risk of developing acid erosion. Making some smart alterations to your coffee routine can pay dividends in the future.
As always, our Glendale dentists are here to answer any questions that you may have, and to help you make the best decisions possible for your smile day to day. Give us a call to set up a consultation, or use the Contact Us page on our website to submit a question for our dental team.