Caffeine Awareness Month

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.