Java Joy: How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy on National Coffee Day

Ah, coffee, the drink so delightful that the Pope had to give consent to drink it when it first came to Venice. While drinking this brewed bean drink is no longer a cardinal sin, it can still be detrimental to your oral health in a number of ways.

National Coffee Day is on September 29^th, so continue reading to learn how you can prepare to observe the holiday without damaging your teeth.

1. Chase Your Coffee with Water

The main way that coffee damages your teeth is through acid. After brewing, coffee releases several types of natural acids. This boosts the pH level of a typical cup of black brew to 4.85 to 5.10 which is much higher than water.

After finishing your coffee, try chasing it with a glass of room-temperature water. This will wash away the acid on your teeth, increase your saliva production, and allow you to swish the water across your teeth without fear of sensitivity issues.

2. Brush Before Drinking or 30 Minutes After

Cathy Stewart, the manager of professional education South Central at Philips Oral Healthcare says that brushing your teeth before coffee is essential to negating its effects. While this may seem counterintuitive, brushing before coffee makes sense.

Because coffee is acidic, it leaves your enamel weaker by opening the pores on the surface. If you brush right after, you’re actually brushing thinner enamel and trapping stains. If you must brush after drinking, wait 30 mins. By then your saliva will have neutralized the acid.

3. Use a Straw to Sip

This one is pretty simple. Since direct contact with acid and staining tannins in coffee is the enemy, using a straw can help. Sipping coffee through a straw carries the coffee away from your teeth and prevents both acid erosion of enamel and coffee stains on your teeth. Win-win!

4. Add Milk to Your Morning Joe

While some people are black coffee purists, others enjoy a bit of milk or cream to take off the bitter edge. As it turns out, milk is slightly alkaline, so it helps to reduce the natural acids found in the java.

If you use this method, but add sugar as well, you’ll have negated the benefits. Sugar in coffee causes cavities, especially when combined with the enamel erosion that occurs as you’re drinking. Try to keep away from the sweet stuff.

With these tips, you’ll be ready to enjoy National Coffee Day while keeping your oral health intact. So, go ahead and savor that cup of joe, guilt-free!

About the Author

Dr. Henry Lu wants all his patients to love their teeth. His goal is to treat and educate his patients, so they never take their smiles for granted. Dr. Henry earned his dental degree at the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine before working for three years as a pediatric dentist and starting his own practice. Now, he continues to broaden his base of dental knowledge through professional organizations like the Texas Dental Association. To schedule an appointment at Skillman Family Dentistry of Dallas, call (469) 998-9822 or visit the website to explore other services.