Most coffee lovers who drink iced coffee or colder blends tend to sip their coffee through a straw. If you tend to sweeten your coffee and sip on it throughout the day, it might be time to reconsider your habits—or at least start flossing more regularly!
While coffee is a go-to solution for many, it could be harming your precious teeth due to your drinking habits. The tooth expert, Lesley, shared on TikTok that spacing out your caffeine intake by sipping coffee with sugar can pose risks to your dental health, and using a straw won't protect your teeth either.
She explained: "Most people would think that because they’re drinking out of a straw, and they’re constantly sipping on it, it’s better.
"If you’re sipping on it all day long, that’s how you get cavities because you have sugar in your mouth all day long."
When you slowly drink coffee, the sugar lingers on your teeth, providing a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. This can lead to plaque buildup, which, if not removed, may result in cavities and gum disease over time.
Moreover, coffee itself is acidic, which can erode tooth enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth. Once enamel is damaged, it doesn’t regenerate, increasing the risk of sensitivity and further dental issues.
Even using a straw, often recommended to reduce contact with teeth, may not be an effective solution. While it might minimize direct exposure to some extent, it doesn't eliminate the risk entirely, as the sugar can still wash over your teeth when swallowing.
To keep these risks at bay, it’s wise to limit sugar intake, maintain good oral hygiene, and consider drinking your coffee in a shorter timeframe. Rinsing your mouth with water after having coffee can also help wash away lingering sugars and acids and help you achieve better dental health.