At this point in our lives, coffee has become one of the staple beverages we drink for that liquid wake-up energy and as a way to bond with our loved ones. In Melbourne, the vibrant coffee culture is thriving, making it all the more enjoyable for everyone. Be that as it may, it’s also important to practice mindful consumption of this aromatic beverage. In today’s article, we’ll be talking about how Melbourne’s coffee culture can impact your dental health and practices to maintain optimum oral health.
What’s the coffee culture like in Melbourne?
Being the home of mixed cultures with an already impressive heritage makes Melbourne one of the most appealing cities to visit and live in. Their coffee culture is one of the convincing proofs of this with their single-origin beans that are crafted into signature house blends. The city is brimming with independent cafes that boast various brewing methods paired with their innovative techniques and latte art that entices just about anyone.
What role does Melbourne’s coffee culture play in relation to dental health?
With so many options to choose from, of course, residents and visitors alike enjoy sipping on this addictive and flavorful beverage—so much so that they may fail to notice how their consumption is affecting their oral health. This is why Toorak dentists and other dental healthcare professionals never fail to remind us of the importance of practicing oral hygiene or suffer the consequences. It’s equally important that we practice to do so to keep our smiles bright—it’s the same as exerting effort and maintaining oral health during Melbourne’s allergy season.
The negative effects of coffee on dental health.
As enjoyable and flavorful as Melbourne’s coffee is, it’s crucial to be mindful of your consumption, or else it will lead to one of a few dental health issues. If left unchecked, you could suffer from the following:
Tooth discoloration. One of the more obvious issues coffee consumption leads to is tooth stains. Along with wine and other colored beverages, coffee is one of the primary culprits that stains teeth. This is because of a chemical compound called tannins, which stick to the tooth enamel, coloring the tooth and making it yellower and tainted.
Enamel erosion. Because of how naturally acidic coffee is, another dental issue that can result from this is the erosion of your tooth enamel—the outer layer of your tooth. When this happens, your tooth is left unprotected, becoming prone to sensitivity, and is exposed to bacteria attacks that can lead to tooth decay.
Dry mouth. Another disadvantage of coffee’s acid content is how dehydrating it is, reducing your mouth’s ability to produce saliva. If it continues, this will soon lead to a dry mouth, increasing the risks of developing gum diseases, tooth problems, and even halitosis, or bad breath.
Gum diseases. Speaking of gum diseases, the erosion of tooth enamel due to too much coffee consumption can also lead to the buildup of tartar and plaque along your gum line, which later develops into gingivitis. This disease is characterized by the inflammation of the gums and surrounding tissue, which is pretty painful when touched. Good oral hygiene can solve this disease, but if there aren’t any improvements despite doing so, it’s crucial to head to emergency dentist Toorak to prevent the condition from worsening.
Cavities. Similar to gum diseases, cavities also develop more easily if your tooth enamel is starting to erode. Your tooth is prone to bacteria attacks, leading to the development of tooth cavities.
How do we minimize the negative impacts of coffee on our teeth?
The aforementioned may scare you off from drinking coffee, but as long as you perform the following practices, you can maintain your dazzling smile despite coffee’s staining nature.
Limit consumption. As mentioned before, coffee is so ingrained in the Australian community that according to McCrindle, one in four Australians cannot survive a day without drinking it. Furthermore, they also stated that those who drink instant coffee tend to drink around three or more in a day. If you’re one of the coffee addicts, it’s best you put a cap on your coffee consumption if you want to keep enjoying your bright smile.
Use a straw. Another useful tip that can save your teeth from discoloration is to use a straw. By doing so, you’re minimizing the contact between the coffee and your teeth, which also reduces the chance of coffee staining your teeth and eroding the enamel.
Rinse your mouth. This tip is often overlooked by many, but little do they know, it’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep our oral cavity clean. After drinking coffee, make it a habit to rinse your mouth with water since it not only washes away coffee residue, it also neutralizes the acid in our mouths.
Opt for milk alternatives. Did you know? On top of coffee itself being acidic, milk is also slightly acidic. To be fair, it’s considered neutral in pH levels thanks to the presence of lactic acid, but drinking it stimulates your stomach to produce acid, which reaches your teeth in a way. You don’t have to eliminate milk from your coffee altogether; just opt for other alternatives like soy or almond to neutralize the acid.
Visit your dentist regularly. It’s highly advised to schedule at least two dental checkups yearly. Practicing the basics—brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash—needs to be followed up by dental checkups so your dentist can inspect your oral cavity for potential problems and nip them in the bud ASAP.
It’s also advised to stick to visiting your dentist so they can perform professional cleaning and wash away all the built-up plaque and tartar in the hidden crevices.
Consider getting whitening treatments. If there are lapses in your monthly visits, chances of your teeth stains going darker are imminent and harder to remove. In cases like these, it’s best to get fluoride treatment to strengthen your tooth enamel and consider getting whitening treatment done. Consult with your dentist on what you wish to achieve so they can suggest a treatment that works to your needs and preferences.
To wrap it up, there’s nothing wrong with diving into Melbourne’s coffee culture, but it is important to exercise mindful consumption and oral care to keep your oral cavity in good condition. Taking these proactive steps also helps keep the dental issues at bay so you can enjoy your bright and healthy smile much longer.