One of life’s unfavorable lessons is that just because a food or drink tastes good, does not mean that it is good for you. If you are diligent in your dental care routine and find that you are still struggling to keep your teeth bright, white, and stain-free, you may be surprised to learn that your favorite beverage is part of the problem.

Listed below are the three most popular drinks that many people don’t know can lead to various oral health issues.

Coffee

Sadly, coffee could potentially have a few undesirable effects on the condition of your teeth, both of which are worth mentioning since, for so many people, coffee is consumed on a daily basis. First, coffee is extremely acidic, and any acid will erode the enamel on your teeth over time. It can have a significant impact on the way your teeth look and speed up the process of tooth decay.

The second issue regarding coffee and your teeth is staining. Enamel, the hard substance that covers your teeth, is porous by design. This means that coffee can actually be absorbed by your teeth and cause them to discolor over time. 

Tea

In spite of the fact that your Guatamalen single-origin dark roast certainly looks a lot darker than any cup of black tea ever will, both the tannins and oxidation process, both naturally occurring in tea, are more easily absorbed by your tooth’s enamel than coffee and can lead to that same stained and splotchy look must faster.

The more tannins a drink contains, the greater the odds of your teeth being stained. In the case of dark blends versus light blends, black tea has more ability to stain teeth than green tea does. This is also true of black coffee as opposed to a cup that has had milk or cream added to it.   

Citrus Juices

Citrus juices have a high level of acidity. As we mentioned earlier, acidic drinks and foods are both able to cause the erosion of enamel. As the enamel wears away, it becomes thin and this makes the yellow-ish dentine underneath to be visible. 

San Diego Area Dentistry

At McBride Dental, we want to help you and your family do everything possible to have and preserve healthy teeth and gums. By scheduling regular appointments with your California family dentist and practicing the oral care techniques we teach you, your whole family will easily maintain teeth that are healthy, strong, and effective.

The San Marcos offices of Dr. Michael McBride are staffed with reputable, professional San Diego area dentists that are ready to address any concerns you may have regarding common dental procedures, as well as preventative, cosmetic, or restorative dentistry. We also provide sedation dentistry treatments as an option for our patients with severe dental anxiety.

It is our job to help you and your family establish healthy dental habits to make sure that your teeth will always be there when you need them and your smile will always look great.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a San Marcos dentist, please give us a call at (760) 471-1003 and speak with a trained member of our dental staff today.