Around 150 million Americans have at least one cup of coffee each morning; that’s about half of our country’s entire population. Many people can’t start their day without a fresh cup of joe, and often, that’s ok. One cup of coffee has about 95 mg of caffeine, and anywhere under 200 mg is considered safe, even for pregnant women. So, if you have one or two cups of coffee each day, you’re probably in the clear, but if you have more than that, use this month to consider reevaluating your caffeine intake. 

There are many benefits to drinking coffee; it can help wake you up, focus, and stay alert, as well as potentially help you lose weight and decrease the chances of certain cancers or diseases. However, there are also many negatives to relying on coffee and caffeine. For example, coffee can cause restlessness or insomnia, especially if you consume more than 200 mg of caffeine per day. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure, cause nausea or vomiting, and cause bad breath and yellowing of the teeth. 

Effects of Coffee on Your Teeth

It’s no secret that drinking coffee can turn your teeth yellow. The reason for this is due to the tannins in the beverage. Tannins cause colored compounds to stick to your teeth, leaving an unwanted yellow stain behind. Tannins are in other beverages such as red wine and tea. 

Many people brush their teeth immediately after finishing their coffee to get rid of that awful coffee breath, but we are here to tell you to stop doing that. Coffee contains acid, and brushing your teeth immediately after eating or drinking something acidic weakens your enamel and can cause further staining. Instead, wait at least 30 minutes before your brush your teeth. During this time, you should rinse your mouth out with water and drink a full glass of water to help prevent bacteria buildup. In addition, professional whitening can help reverse signs of staining.

If you want to switch to energy drinks or tea to reduce the effects of coffee on your teeth, please do so in moderation. Many energy drinks contain at least 200 mg of caffeine and can increase your blood pressure and anxiety and impact your sleeping patterns. Keep these factors in mind as you choose between whiter teeth and adverse health issues. 

At Cakmes Dental Studio, we can unlock a smile up to eight shades whiter in less than an hour. If coffee keeps you going every morning, we can help reverse the adverse aesthetic effects. This month, take time to evaluate your caffeine intake and make adjustments when necessary; if the only negative you see with your morning cup of coffee is yellow teeth, we can help. Call us today to schedule a whitening consultation or a bi-yearly cleaning.

Every year on March 6th, we celebrate National Dentist’s Day. At Cakmes Dental Studio, we celebrate every day because we know how lucky we are to have the two best dentists in Knoxville. As a family-owned dental office, we have an incredible father-son duo with Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven Cakmes. 

Dr. Nick graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts degree in microbiology and then received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis, TN. Dr. Steven earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. 

As a way to honor their hard work, dedication, and fantastic work ethic, we have come up with a few ways to celebrate National Dentist’s Day. 

• Give a shout-out on social. Tag Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven in a thank you post or use #NationalDentistDay as a way to show your appreciation. A few kind words can go a long way in making their day even better.
• Send an email or make a quick call. Another way to make your dentist’s day is by reaching out personally. While they may be busy during business hours, when they check their voicemail or email during lunch or at the end of the day, seeing or hearing a thoughtful message is a great way to put a smile on their face. 
• Make your next appointment. A great way to applaud the hard work that Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven have put in is to put it to the test! So schedule your next cleaning or dental work appointment and come in and see them. 
• Spread the word. Another great way to celebrate the day is by letting your friends and family know that you have found the best dentist in town. We trust what our friends and family say most, and we’d be honored if you put your trust in us.

We encourage you to celebrate National Dentist’s Day with us this March 6th. Whether you give Dr. Nick or Dr. Steven a call, tag them on Facebook, or schedule your next appointment, know that you are honoring the best dentists in Knoxville. We are lucky to have such incredible patients, and we are honored that you trust us with your dentistry needs.