For most of us, coffee is one of the most important parts of our morning ritual – so much that many of us can’t think of beginning our day without a cup of coffee. Some of us drink it every other hour to stay focused.

But is drinking coffee safe for your teeth? If you drink more than one cup of coffee daily, then you may already be familiar that it causes your teeth to stain. But did you know, beyond that, coffee has more negative impacts on your teeth? Should you cut back on coffee? Here’s what dentists and research have to say about.

Coffee is Acidic and Acid is Bad for Your Teeth

• At Icon Dental Center Everett and Seattle, we always advise our patients to drink coffee moderately and use enamel-strengthening toothpaste if they are regular coffee drinkers. So why do we want you to protect your enamel?

Enamel is the outermost layer and one of the most important parts of your teeth. It protects against plaque and cavity-forming bacteria. If your enamel erodes, your teeth become at a higher risk of forming cavities and tooth decay.

• So what does coffee do to your teeth? It’s an acidic beverage and you guessed it right, it hurts the enamel. Moreover, when you drink or eat acidic food, the pH levels of your mouth drop to an unsafe level.

At lower pH levels, bacteria that cause cavities start to grow stronger and directly attack the enamel of your teeth as well as your gums. In simple words, the more acidic your mouth becomes, the more you are at risk of developing cavities, tooth decay, and gum diseases.

• Just to be clear, coffee does not directly cause cavities or tooth decay, it just accelerates the process by dropping the pH levels of your mouth. 

How Can You Keep Drinking Coffee and Prevent Tooth Decay?

• There is some research evidence that suggests coffee is actually good for your mouth, but you will have to give up on milk, cream, and sugar with the coffee. Researchers have found out when you add these to your coffee, they can cause the coffee to lose its bacteria-killing properties. 

This is the same reason why dentists recommend drinking black coffee instead. But it also doesn’t mean that you can drink as much as you desire because black coffee is the most acidic form of coffee. So in simple words, drink coffee in moderation – one to two cups a day is highly recommended for healthy teeth. And don’t forget oral hygiene.

• A cup of coffee is an excellent way to start your day, but if you feel it is hurting your teeth, such as your teeth hurt when you drink or eat cold or hot things, then book an appointment today with Icon Dental Center and let us see the health of your teeth.

At Icon Dental, we work with you and your family to help keep your teeth well maintained. And if we are able to figure something wrong with your teeth, we provide the most effective treatment available in Everett and Seattle.