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Is your Favorite Drink Making Your Teeth Dull?

Even as the weather starts to heat up, many of us rely on our morning cup of “joe” to get us going. If you don’t like hot drinks, perhaps you stop by your closest Starbucks and enjoy an iced coffee or even an iced tea. Or maybe you’re a soda drinker. You may not feel as fond of these beverages, however, if you realized how much staining they produce on the surface of your smile.

Tooth Decay from Soda

Soda can cause cavities for a couple of distinct reasons: sugar and acid. The high concentration of sugar in soda can lead the way to tooth decay-town. Bacteria rely on sugar to multiply and create acid by-products inside your mouth. There is also a large dose of acid in soda which further damages tooth enamel. In terms of aesthetics, your dentin stains easily from the combination of tooth enamel loss and the dark color of many sodas.

Coffee Stains

Coffee can be a mixed bag in terms your dental health. There are actually some research studies which show elements in coffee that can contribute to stronger teeth and gums. Trigonelline, chlorogenic acid, and nicotinic acid (found in coffee) can help stop bacteria from attaching to your teeth. Coffee is acidic, however, so if you load it up with lots of sugar, you are probably taking away from any potential health benefits that might be found in the natural coffee bean. Furthermore, the dark pigment of coffee can cause major staining on the surfaces not only on top of, but also between teeth. Fortunately, Dr. Engelberg can offer you several teeth whitening options so that you can turn to in order to undo the damage of years of coffee drinking. You may want to stick to iced coffee after professional whitening, however, because the straw will help you bypass teeth and avoid subsequent stains in the future.

ABOUT YOUR PALATINE DENTIST:

Dr. Brent Engelberg and his highly-skilled team proudly serve patients and their families from Arlington Heights, IL, and all surrounding communities, including; Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, and the Northern and Northwest Chicago Suburbs. To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at 847-259-8030.

 

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