Many people enjoy a coffee in the morning, during the day or after a meal. Some people even enjoy all three. Although we shouldn’t have to deny ourselves a simple pleasure like our morning latte, there can be some consequences to consider for your teeth.

Stains

If you can’t get through the day without that perfect cup (or two) or coffee, perhaps the most obvious effect you will see over time is a general staining of the teeth. Common results are yellowing, dark spots, and an overall dingy look to your smile. Seeing your dentist regularly can greatly help to reduce this darkening of the teeth over time, but cutting down on your intake of dark beverages (eg. coffee, tea, soda, red wine) will slow the staining process. It is also advisable to enjoy these types of beverages through a straw whenever possible to minimize the exposure to the teeth.

Enamel Damage

Enamel is the hard outer shell of your teeth that keeps them strong and staves off bacteria and infection. Consuming acidic foods and drinks (like coffee) can wear down this strong barrier over time, causing more opportunity for bacteria to attack teeth and potentially create cavities.

Clenching

Consistent or over-caffeination can most certainly cause us to feel tightly-wound. Caffeine combined with stress can lead to jaw-clenching and teeth grinding (both waking and sleeping) which can lead to inflammation of the gums, broken teeth, and damage to dental work such as crowns and fillings.