Did you know that Americans, on average, drink over two cups of coffee every day? While it’s how many adults kick off their morning, drinking an excessive amount of coffee can affect your mouth, teeth, and gums in negative ways.

Teeth Stains

The surface of your teeth may look smooth, but the layer of enamel covering your teeth contains numerous ridges and cracks. Food particles and pigments from different beverages, such as coffee, will embed in these ridges and cracks, which discolors the surface of your teeth. Without intervention, such as proper brushing, routine cleanings by your dentist, and whitening treatments, the coffee stains will become more difficult to remove.

Enamel Erosion

Coffee not only affects the color of your tooth enamel, but the various acids found in coffee can also eat through and erode your tooth enamel. Bacteria can seep into the teeth and gum tissue and increase the risk of cavities, decay, and gum disease.

Dry Mouth

Saliva contains minerals that help rebuild tooth enamel. Unfortunately, drinking a lot of caffeinated coffee will dry out the mouth, decreasing saliva production that is necessary for your oral health. Insufficient saliva causes your mouth to become dry and can also lead to irritated gum tissue, as well as bad breath.

Schedule a Visit to the Dentist

Are coffee stains dampening your white smile? Schedule an appointment today and we’ll get you on your way to a brighter, healthier smile.