A dentist has warned people to avoid a ‘normal’ habit that many of us do ‘all day’, claiming that it increases the risk of cavities – so you might want to be careful with your next cup of coffee
A dentist issued a warning on the dangers of sipping a beloved beverage ‘all day’, highlighting the potential for serious dental damage.
Kicking off your day with a stretch and a quick scroll through social media is routine for many, but it’s often followed by brewing that essential cup of coffee. As the day wears on, reaching for yet another cup to boost productivity or snap out of a daydream at your desk becomes almost second nature.
Whether you’re into iced, hot, mocha, or latte, a dentist on TikTok has issued a stark warning: indulging in coffee all day could be inviting cavities into your mouth.
Taking to TikTok, dentist @joycethedentist shared her professional no-nos, urging her followers to avoid these habits too.
She cautioned her viewers, saying: “I would never sip coffee throughout the day”. She explained the reason behind this advice: “It’s best to drink your coffee and be done with it because every time you take a sip the pH in the mouth drops. The more the pH in the mouth is acidic, the more the environment lends towards an increased risk for cavities.”
Supporting this claim, Marquess Dental from Anglesey, Wales, pointed out that coffee can lead to unsightly “stains” and the problems extend “beyond cosmetic concerns”. They advocate for a simple preventative measure: “Immediately after finishing your coffee, rinse your mouth with water. This simple step helps to wash away coffee residue and neutralise acids, protecting your enamel from erosion.”
They also mentioned that sipping coffee through a straw could “minimise stains”, and suggested opting for “darker roasts as they generally have lower acidity levels than lighter roasts”, which are better for your teeth. They didn’t forget to stress the importance of regular dental check-ups and discussing any particular concerns with your dentist.
Other habits she cautioned against include using mouthwash with high alcohol content, which can turn the mouth “acidic”, choosing an over-the-counter mouth guard instead of one from the dentist, neglecting to brush at night, and sharing toothbrushes.
She revealed a startling statistic: “in a poll, 49% of men and 57% of women said they only brush once per day”. She also referred to another survey finding where 54% of respondents considered sharing a toothbrush “normal”, expressing her bewilderment and disgust by stating it was “unhygienic” and questioning “why couples do it”.