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If you’re a coffee drinker, you may be in the habit of brushing your teeth after drinking coffee to freshen your breath and prevent staining of your teeth.
You may be doing more harm than good.
Coffee is acidic, which can lead to the erosion of tooth enamel. Coffee also is known to stain teeth.
We don’t want either of these things to happen, but dental experts agree that brushing BEFORE you drink coffee is better than after. If you’ve removed plaque buildup and your teeth are clean before you drink coffee, it’s more difficult for stains to adhere to the surface of your teeth.
Rinsing your mouth vigorously with water after drinking coffee can help remove any stain-causing residue, and it can help reset the pH levels in your mouth to protect your enamel.
If you still prefer to brush your teeth after drinking coffee, it’s best to wait at least 30 minutes after rinsing your mouth with water. This gives time to neutralize the acidity in your mouth that the coffee has left behind.
High acidity levels weaken the enamel on the surface of your teeth, and if you brush while the enamel is softened, you run the risk of damaging the enamel. And since enamel doesn’t grow back, you want to minimize the risks of damaging it.
Of course, coffee drinker or not, good dental hygiene also includes getting regular checkups and professional cleanings.
Is it time for you to see us? Contact us today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Lovik Mirzaeian.
