Albuquerque Dentist: Is Coffee Good or Bad?

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. Half of all Americans regularly drink coffee, and on average, Americans consume over 146 billion cups of coffee annually. How many people do you know who can’t start their day without their coffee?  Is coffee even good for you? Your Albuquerque cosmetic dentist, Dr. Mark Miller, weighs in on the coffee debate.

Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee

Coffee actually boasts an array of surprising health benefits, including reducing the chances of developing oral cancer. The American Journal of Epidemiology recently published a study showing that people who drank coffee habitually actually decreased their chance of getting cancer.

In fact, study participants who drank more than four cups a day cut their risk of developing oral cancers by 49%. Jane Hildebrand, an author in the study, said: “Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, and contains a variety of antioxidants, polyphenols, and other biologically active compounds that may help to protect against development or progression of cancers.”

Downing that cup of coffee also reduces the risk of developing a host of other disorders, including:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Stroke

Damage to Your Teeth

Before you start overindulging in coffee, understand the downsides to drinking coffee. Halitosis, or bad breath, is a common result of regular coffee consumption. Caffeine, the ingredient in coffee that gives you that burst of energy, dries up saliva in your mouth. Saliva helps cleanse the mouth of harmful bacteria and food particles. Without saliva, bacteria break down the food particles and release a foul odor. Over time, bacteria increase oral acids that weaken tooth enamel and cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Coffee can also cause your smile to lose its luster. Coffee stains are hard to remove, and oftentimes, over-the-counter teeth whiteners do little to combat coffee stains.

Teeth Whitening Options

Dr. Miller uses a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures to erase unsightly teeth stains. We offer a convenient at-home teeth whitening system. Using a set of custom-made trays and prescription-strength bleaching gel, patients can whiten their teeth from the comfort of their own homes. For permanent stains, Dr. Miller offers porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin wafers of natural-looking porcelain, placed on the front teeth. Porcelain veneers not only whiten smiles but repair chips or cracks and close gaps between teeth.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Albuquerque Dentist

Do you need embarrassing coffee stains removed? Dr. Miller offers the latest in cosmetic dentistry. Visit our Albuquerque dentist’s office or call (505) 596-4479 to make an appointment. We serve patients from Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Edgewood, Corrales, Los Lumas, Tijeras, Mountain Air, Santa Fe, and Taos.

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