You may not associate a cup of fresh coffee with healthy teeth. Some studies, however, suggest that caffeine may have a protective effect on tooth enamel. Much of the caffeine in your diet comes from coffee, tea, some carbonated drinks and chocolate. In the right forms -- and with as little sugar as possible -- caffeine may help tooth enamel to stay strong and intact.
Acid Resistance
In a study published in the "Journal of Dentistry" in 1995, scientists measured the effects of several different substances found in tea on tooth enamel. They concluded that caffeine, as well as other naturally occurring chemicals, can improve tooth enamel acid resistance. This means that caffeine could slow down tooth decay by fighting off acid erosion, much like fluoride. The high amounts of sugar found in carbonated soda may counteract any benefits from caffeine. The sugar promotes tooth enamel erosion.
Bacteria
According to Columbia University, one reason why caffeine may prevent acid erosion is that it stops bacteria from binding to the enamel. Most tooth decay occurs when sugars from food feed bacteria present in the mouth. These bacteria produce acidic substances when feeding. Acid can effectively burn through tooth enamel over time. By stopping the bacteria from sticking to your teeth for long period, caffeine may protect tooth enamel.
Staining
While caffeine itself doesn't stain tooth enamel, many of the most common forms of dietary caffeine just might. Coffee and tea contain substances called tannins. These tannins may stain your tooth enamel, turning it slightly yellow in some cases and even dark brown in serious cases over a long period of time. Teeth whitening toothpaste may help slightly, though avoiding these drinks altogether will protect your tooth enamel more.
Considerations
If you're concerned about the enamel on your teeth then increasing your caffeine intake isn't likely the best solution. Instead, brushing your teeth gently but regularly and flossing every day will help to remove any bacterial plaque build-up. Similarly, avoiding sugar will help stop more tooth decay. Instead of adding sugar to your coffee or tea, try drinking it without or with an artificial sweetener. This may offer some of the benefits of caffeine without the drawbacks of sugar.
References
- "Journal of Dentistry"; Effects of Several Tea Components on Acid Resistance of Human Tooth Enamel; H. Yu, et al.; April 1995
- Health Services at Columbia; Pop Versus Coffee; Oct. 05, 2007
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine: Black Tea Aids Oral Health
- Virtual Chembook Elmhurst College; Sugar and Tooth Decay; Charles. E. Ophardt; 2003
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