Is Coffee Bad for Teeth? (Solved & Explained!)

Coffee, due to its acidity, weakens teeth enamel, which works as the insulating barrier. It contributes to the production of bacteria in the mouth, which in turn causes tooth decay and various gum diseases. Consuming coffee also increases the risk of teeth stains and discoloration.

This article will cover exactly how coffee can damage teeth, and ways to prevent it.

How Does Coffee Destroy My Teeth? 

Coffee damages enamel, which is considered to be the hardest substance in our body.

Occupying the outermost layer of our teeth, enamel functions as the wear-resistant layer. It helps protect the fragile inner areas of our teeth, the dentin, and pulp, from the environment and keeps our teeth healthy. 

It is equally vital for protecting teeth against injurious forces like physical, chemical, and thermal ones, which may damage the tissues present in the dental pulp. Besides, it prevents dental plaque and cavity formation in our teeth. It does this by limiting the growth of cavity-forming bacteria by maintaining a certain pH level inside the mouth. 

Coffee leads to enamel erosion. When the enamel erodes, the teeth become sensitive and more susceptible to decay and cavities. Moreover, the pH level of our mouth also falls after consuming coffee. The low pH level provides a suitable environment for the growth of bacteria that cause cavities.

The more acidic your mouth becomes, the stronger the development of these bacteria, which directly attack the enamel and your gums, leading to sensitivity problems, tooth decay, and gum diseases. 

Tannins are one of the ingredients of coffee that cause teeth stains and discoloration. Tannins are organic compounds, a type of polyphenol that dissociates in water and produces color compounds. They can dye fabric.

As a general thumb rule, something that can stain your clothes can also stain your teeth. Hence, the colored compounds produced to stick to your teeth because of tannins. After attaching, they leave an unwanted yellow hue behind.

How Much Coffee is Okay for Teeth?

Drinking up to two cups of coffee a day is fine for your teeth if you have a good oral hygiene routine. 

How do I keep Coffee from ruining my teeth? 

Here are ten simple ways to prevent teeth and discoloration due to Coffee:

1. Add Cream or Milk to your Coffee: Milk has high nutritional value and is also rich in proteins. These proteins bind to tannins and carry them to the stomach instead of sticking to the teeth. Hence, milk acts as a natural neutralizer that protects the enamel.
2. Drink Through a Straw: Using a straw for drinking coffee is an excellent way to prevent coffee from directly touching your teeth. 
3. Drink Coffee with Less Caffeine: People who consume decaf or coffee with less caffeine are at low risk of getting stains because it contains fewer polyphenols. The method of brewing the coffee is also essential in this context. A Percolator is a better choice than a French press.
4. Avoid Sugar or Sweeteners: Coffee with a high amount of sugar is more damaging for teeth. Excessive sugar acts as the nutrition for bacteria present in our mouths. They feed on sugar and produce acids that erode the Enamel. Erosion is followed by demineralization and cavity formation.
5. Brush or Rinse after Drinking Coffee: The best way to prevent teeth stains is to remove coffee residues by brushing immediately or at least swishing your mouth with a bit of water.
6. Practice Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing play an essential role in maintaining the health of our teeth. Brush your teeth at least twice a day or after every meal to avoid stains. Daily flossing helps to strengthen your teeth against substances that destroy dental enamel.
7. Use a Good Quality Brush or Mouthwash: Always use a dentist’s recommended toothbrush and mouthwash to fight against stains and keep your gums strong and healthy. A toothbrush with stiff bristles can be used generally to clean your teeth in a better way.
8. Use Whitening Toothpaste: Whitening toothpaste helps to remove superficial stains from your teeth. Coffee also produces stains that are somewhat limited to the surface. So, whitening toothpaste can help in removing those stains.
9. Visit your Dentist Regularly: Keeping up with your dental visits is mandatory for teeth health. If you are drinking coffee daily over weeks or months, you are highly recommended to visit a dentist. It is recommended to see a dentist at least once a year.
10. Go for Professional Whitening: Whitening treatments are performed once or twice a year, as recommended by a dentist or orthodontist. They keep your teeth stay white for a longer time and also prevent the formation of new stains.

When Can Coffee Consumption Cause Sensitivity and Tooth Wear?

The emergence of sensitivity and tooth wear problems can be decided based on three criteria mentioned below: 

• The quantity of coffee in your cup.
• The number of cups a day.
• The length of time it takes to finish one cup of coffee.

The amount of Coffee should be limited to 1 to 2 cups daily. Finish one cup of Coffee in 10 to 15 minutes to avoid exposure to coffee acids for more extended periods of time, as this will allow for the coffee to have a limited window of when it is actively passing by your teeth.

Coffee taken with a meal is better than consuming it alone, as food tends to clean the palette and remove some of the stains.

How Does Coffee Damage the Gums Along with Teeth?

Coffee affects the endothelial layer of tissues present in gums and increases inflammation. Several studies confirm the link between gum infections and coffee intake. One of those famous researches is the Korea National Health survey which was made to study the adverse effects of caffeine. 

The survey included 7,299 male participants in which a slow bone healing process and bone loss were observed—people who were already suffering from any periodontal disease presented with an increase in severity of the disease.