Reno Dentists Weigh in on The Great Coffee Debate

Over 100 million Americans drink coffee. Each year, Americans consume almost 146 billion cups of java. In fact, most of us can’t start the day without the rich caffeine infusion. But is coffee harmful to our health? Your Reno cosmetic dentists, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans, take a look at both sides of the coffee debate and explain how to whiten teeth stained by the dark pigments in coffee.

Benefits of Coffee

In addition to providing a pick-me-up, drinking coffee can reduce the likelihood of developing serious medical issues, including cancer. According to Frank Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard: “There is certainly much more good news than bad news, in terms of coffee and health.” Coffee has been known to help in the prevention of liver cancer, as Hu would go on to say: “All of the studies have shown that high coffee consumption is associated with decreased risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.”

Janet Hildebrand, who authored a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, claims that coffee can potentially cut a drinker’s risk of oral cancer by 49%. “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.”

Risks to Dental Health

While research shows that coffee can aid in the fight against cancer, the drink does have serious drawbacks. In addition to causing embarrassing stains on our teeth, coffee can lead to bad breath as a result of dry mouth. Caffeine dries up saliva, which is essential for fighting tooth decay by cleansing the oral cavity of harmful bacteria and stray food particles. Dry mouth leaves your teeth vulnerable to cavities and gum disease.

Erasing Coffee Stains

Coffee often leaves permanent stains on our teeth. Even with proper oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing, regular coffee consumption can leave unsightly yellow stains on your smile. At Wager Evans Dental, we offer an array of cosmetic dentistry procedures to erase stains and whiten your teeth, including:

• In-office and At-home Teeth Whitening
• Porcelain Veneers
• Dental Bonding and Contouring

Schedule an Appointment with Your Reno Cosmetic Dentists

Do you need professional teeth whitening? Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans are ready to help you brighten your smile. Schedule an appointment with your Reno dentists. We provide dental services for your entire family. Contact our 89502 dentist office at 775-829-7700. We are proud to serve patients in Reno, Sparks, Sun Valley, Spanish Springs, and surrounding communities.