The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Effect of Coffee and Tea on your Teeth
Most people (us included) cannot function without our morning cup of caffeine- it could be coffee, tea or green tea. It is sad that we are addicted and need a chemical to make us alert and at the top of our game. Drinking coffee and tea on a daily basis definitely makes a difference to our teeth and most of us are aware of the stains which it causes and the effects it has on our oral health.
The truth is various studies have concluded that coffee and tea can be good for you in small doses- but when you add sugar to it- thats when its a concern. Also when you want your teeth to look nice and ‘white’- drinking these on a daily basis can affect the appearance of your teeth.
This is because of coffee/tea contains colour compounds called ‘tannins’ which stick to your teeth and give it that unaesthetic yellow colour. The worst part?- even just one cup of tea/coffee can cause this. Also the microscopic pits and ridges on your teeth can catch stains which get embedded in them and if you do not take care of it (brushing well) then it can cause permanent yellowing of your teeth. Also drinking very hot or very cold beverages can remove enamel of the teeth and make it more sensitive over time.
The good news ? Certain types of coffee beans and tea leaves have been found to have antibacterial properties which can even break down bacterial biofilms which causes dental decay. However, this is true only when it is drunk in moderation- without cream or sugar (since even one cup a day can slowly add up).
So what can YOU do to protect your teeth?
Drink your coffee or tea through a straw so that it doesn’t come in contact with your teeth.
Cut out the sugar and creamer so that you do not have increased incidence of cavities.
Diluting your coffee or tea with milk- soy, almond, coconut etc can help reduce the staining property.
Drink water/ rinse your mouth with water immediately after so that you flush away the staining compounds.
Visit your dentist for your routine teeth cleaning/ prophylaxis which can help you maintain the health of your mouth and prevent oral issues.
Can you think of anymore ways to reduce the harmful effects of coffee/ tea on your teeth? Let us know!