The short answer is “yes,” at least compared to drinking water. Black coffee is quite acidic, and if you drink a lot of black coffee, you may be weakening your enamel and creating an environment in your mouth that's more conducive to bacteria growth. This can lead to tooth decay and even gum disease.
Despite the health benefits, drinking too much coffee can leave a lasting mark on your smile. In fact, research shows it can increase your risk of cavities because it's acidic, which can erode your enamel. As your enamel becomes thinner, it can also lead to tooth sensitivity.
Does coffee stain teeth permanently? Happily, coffee stains on your teeth aren't permanent, and can be removed with a whitening toothpaste or a professional whitening treatment from your dentist or orthodontist. It's largely the tannins in coffee that cause teeth to discolour.
Dentists advise patients to reduce the consumption of coffee and tea, and to avoid smoking or any other habit that may cause the teeth to stain, particularly after bleaching treatment, because some studies have reported that bleaching agents can alter the texture and morphology of the enamel surface.
Always rinse with water.
By rinsing your teeth off quickly, however, they are less impacted by the tannins in your morning cup. Therefore, one of the ways that avid coffee drinkers can keep their teeth white is to rinse with water after drinking.
Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Although toothpastes and mouthwashes can never “rebuild” teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process.
But you could be damaging the enamel on your teeth, especially if what you are consuming is acidic like coffee. Acid will weaken your enamel, which can increase your chances of cavities or tooth decay, so you should wait 30-60 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating or drinking.
Try non-acidic foods: Certain foods are good for your enamel. Many types of fruits and vegetables, dairy products such as milk, and foods or drinks containing fluoride – notably spinach, grapes and black tea – will be useful to naturally restore enamel.
Coffee is Acidic and Acid is Bad for Your Teeth
It protects against plaque and cavity-forming bacteria. If your enamel erodes, your teeth become at a higher risk of forming cavities and tooth decay. So what does coffee do to your teeth? It's an acidic beverage and you guessed it right, it hurts the enamel.
You'll also want to drink your coffee in moderation – up to two cups a day is fine, provided that you already have a great oral hygiene routine. A cup of coffee is a great way to start the day, and thankfully, there's no reason why you should stop drinking coffee if you have a great oral hygiene regimen.
A study in The International Journal of Dental Hygiene found that the casein in milk attaches to tannins and helps prevent tea from staining. As the same compound causes stains from coffee, adding milk can likely help protect teeth from all caffeinated beverages.
Opt for Decaf or Cold Brew
If possible, drink decaf coffee. Since it contains less caffeine, it's less likely to stain your teeth. If you're not a fan of decaf but would like to prevent stains, you can brew your coffee cold. While cold brewing may take longer, it can effectively prevent coffee stains.
The germs and bacteria inside your mouth multiply during the night. When you drink water in the morning before brushing, it will clean out your mouth and make tooth-brushing more effective. When you make a habit of drinking water before brushing, you will notice your immunity becoming more robust.
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.
In most cases, it's best to brush your teeth before breakfast. This ensures that your enamel is protected and that you don't run out of time before leaving the house for work or school. Sugar-free gum is a great way to clean your teeth and achieve fresh breath after breakfast while also supporting a healthy smile.
As the enamel continues to erode, your teeth might turn a gray or yellowish color. If your teeth change shape, it's a good indicator that you have enamel damage. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial.
Toothpastes for Enamel Protection
Help guard against the daily effects of acid erosion with Sensodyne's line of toothpastes specially formulated for enamel protection. Our Pronamel range strengthens and rehardens weakened enamel for ongoing protection against acid wear.
White tea, yerba mate, and rooibos are great coffee alternatives that won't stain your teeth. White tea comes from the same plant as green tea, but is minimally processed to preserve its health benefits.
Rinse and brush
“After you drink [your coffee] then drink some water and rinse the coffee off of your teeth … Then maybe 20-30 minutes after drinking the coffee, if you can just brush your teeth and get them really clean, then that would also help too.”
That would be tea, which nearly half your fellow Americans drink every day. Not only is it full of acid, it also has tannins. "Tea causes teeth to stain much worse than coffee," says Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD, professor at the New York University College of Dentistry.
How does coffee stain teeth? The big culprits are tannins, and they are commonly found in drinks like coffee. Tannins are a type of polyphenol that breaks down in the water. Tannins release coloured products that stick to rough surfaces on your teeth, causing yellow or brown discolouration.
There are many ways to remove coffee stains from your teeth, including whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, and professional whitening treatments. You may need more than one treatment to completely remove coffee stains from your teeth.