Coffee Drinking and Reduced Risk of Oral Cancer

A recent study conducted by Janet Hildebrand of the American Cancer Society of Atlanta has shown that people who drink at least 4 cups of coffee a day are up to 50 percent less likely to get mouth and throat cancer. While the results of this study still need to be confirmed with more research, this is great news to those who cannot start their day without an entire pot of coffee.

Even though a major benefit of drinking coffee has now possibly been discovered, there is still a downside in the fact that it stains your teeth and can produce bad breath. For those people who will not give up their coffee for any reason, and now may have a good reason not to, our Los Angeles dentist recommends good dental hygiene by brushing twice daily and flossing once daily. For the stains that can be produced by the dark colored beverage, teeth whitening treatments may be recommended.

Because coffee contains a high amount of acid, it can erode tooth enamel quite easily. When the enamel of a tooth becomes porous, the yellow or brown colored dentin layer underneath can show through, causing the tooth to look discolored. Teeth whitening treatments use a peroxide bleaching solution to brighten the dentin in order to bring teeth back to their full whiteness.

After drinking coffee, it is also recommended that patients do not brush for at least 30 minutes because the acid makes their tooth enamel softer and using abrasive brush strokes before it hardens again can actually do more harm than good. If you are interested in learning more about the effects of coffee, proper dental hygiene, or teeth whitening procedures, contact our Los Angeles dentist today to schedule an appointment.