Coffee, Alcohol, Cigarettes and the Impact they can have on Your Oral Health

There are many ways that alcohol, coffee, and tobacco can damage your mouth and teeth. Using these products every day can cause staining and the possible loss of the teeth, as well as the development of gum disease and even oral cancer.

Smoking

Every time you inhale cigarette smoke, the toxins in the tobacco will stain your tooth enamel and cause the teeth to become weaker. Smoking excessively can eventually lead to gum disease and different types of cancer, including oral cancer, throat cancer, and lung cancer. Chewing tobacco is even worse for the teeth and gum tissues because the tobacco is allowed to have direct contact with the tissues of the mouth and the tooth enamel.

Coffee & Alcohol

Alcohol and coffee beverages are both acidic, which will weaken the tooth enamel. They are both notorious for staining teeth, especially coffee and red wine. The more often you expose your enamel to these beverages, the worse the damage will be.

Reversing the Harmful Impact

The best way to treat the harmful side effects of coffee, alcohol, and tobacco is to limit or discontinue the use of these products. We know that this can’t always be feasible, so proper care of your dental health is required to help reduce the harm these products will have on your teeth.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to use toothpaste that is designed to remove stains from the tooth enamel. There are also certain types of mouthwashes that can remove stains from the teeth as well. Finish this treatment plan off with daily flossing and a visit to your general dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and a checkup. When visiting your dentist, let him or her know if you smoke or drink coffee or alcohol.

For information regarding endodontic care or root canal therapy, or to make an appointment here at Endodontic Specialists, please contact one of our Colorado locations; Colorado Springs North and Pueblo, Colorado.