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Coffee lovers have no fear, celebrating National Coffee Day Sept. 29 doesn’t need to cause permanent damage to your pearly whites. Dental clinicians at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry say indulging in your favorite beverage is OK if you follow these simple tips:
Brush before you drink that first cup. Then, either while you drink or immediately after, rinse your mouth. Wait about 30 minutes – then brush again.
“Brushing before drinking coffee removes plaque and biofilm that would otherwise act like a sticky surface for stains to cling to,” said Dr. Amal Noureldin, clinical professor in public health sciences and director of the predoctoral program. “Rinsing helps wash away pigments and acids, and waiting 30 minutes before brushing again prevents enamel damage since acids temporarily soften enamel and brushing too soon could erode it.”
The casein protein in cow’s milk binds to polyphenols – chemical compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Noureldin said. This prevents the compounds from sticking to tooth enamel and causing stains. Instead, they pass into the digestive system, where their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits are absorbed.
“While soy and almond milks may offer other health benefits, they don’t contain casein, so they won’t provide the same stain-reducing effect as cow’s milk – leaving the coffee polyphenols free to bind to teeth and cause discoloration,” she said.
You knew this was coming: Your teeth never need sugar. Adding it to coffee only makes the mouth a more favorable breeding ground for the bacteria that lead to tooth decay and cavities.
If you must, pick an artificial sweetener.
“Artificial sweeteners don’t fuel cavity-causing bacteria the way sugar does, so they don’t carry the same risk for tooth decay,” Noureldin said. “That said, some people experience side effects – such as digestive upset – and certain sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose, may alter taste perception over time.”
The American Dental Association states that chewing sugarless gum can reduce the risk of cavities when added to a regular oral care routine that includes brushing twice each day. Chewing sugarless gum increases saliva production, which restores minerals lost from teeth.
Noureldin cautioned that not all sugar-free gums are good choices.
“Look for gum sweetened with xylitol, which has been shown to actively inhibit cavity-causing bacteria,” she said. “The ADA Seal of Acceptance on the package is a good indicator that the product has been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.”
One cup of coffee is a relatively safe indulgence. Five cups of coffee a day is a recipe for tooth decay. Put that second cup down. You’ve had enough.