We all enjoy that fresh brewed coffee each morning before starting our day, we sometimes can’t function without it! But have you ever thought about what it does to our teeth over time? 

Coffee can cause bacteria to grow in your mouth which can lead to tooth and enamel erosion. This can cause your teeth to become thin and brittle. Drinking coffee can also cause bad breath because it sticks to your tongue throughout the day. The best way to avoid bad coffee breath is to eat food before you drink coffee, and use a tongue scraper and toothbrush after you finish drinking.

Avoiding creamer and sugar is the best way to stop the growth of discoloring bacteria. You can also try to drink your coffee in one sitting instead of small sips throughout the day to prevent bacteria buildup. If you cannot give up that cup of joe try to prevent stains by cutting back and drinking less, like using a smaller cup to slowly wean off the size of consumption. Stick to drinking only one cup a day and substitute the afternoon or evening with tea or water. 

For iced coffee (or any cold drinks), we recommend drinking it through a straw to reduce the risk of stains. This prevents the drink from touching your teeth as much. 

We of course always recommend brushing your teeth twice a day to help keep those teeth shiny and bright, but remember that coffee is acidic so wait at least 30 minutes after drinking to brush. Brushing immediately will weaken your tooth enamel and cause the staining to worsen.