14 May How Much Coffee Is Too Much for My Teeth?
Ah, there’s nothing like that first sip of coffee in the morning! It tastes amazing, helps wake us up, and provides a little dopamine boost. There are those of us who like to enjoy several cups a day, or who drink coffee while plugging away at work and don’t think about how many refills we’ve had. But drinking too much coffee can actually harm our teeth.
The effects of coffee on teeth are complicated—studies show that coffee can have both positive and negative impacts on our dental health. So how can we tell when coffee is good for us and when it’s not? Are there clear rules about consumption amounts? How exactly does coffee harm teeth? Let’s dig into what we know and answer some important questions.
How Can Drinking Too Much Coffee Hurt My Teeth?
There are three components of coffee that are harmful to our teeth:
- Acid—Harms tooth enamel
- Caffeine—Slows healing
- Tannins—Stain teeth
Coffee is highly acidic, and those acids can weaken and wear away your tooth enamel. When the enamel is weak, it is more vulnerable to stains, and the dark pigments in coffee will start to turn your teeth yellow if you drink too much. It can also cause dry mouth, which allows bacteria to thrive and leads to bad breath.
High doses of caffeine can inhibit healing or cell growth in the gums. It may also harm bone support for your teeth. That means if you’re recovering from a tooth extraction and/or bone grafting, excess caffeine could slow down or prevent you from healing properly.
Excess caffeine consumption has also been found to increase the rate of bone loss in elderly women. The linked study reports that drinking 18oz (about two cups) of coffee every day accelerated the rate of bone loss in post-menopausal women. Losing bone density in your jaw can cause tooth loss, so if you’re in this category, you should consider limiting your coffee intake to one cup a day.
How Much Coffee Is Safe for Teeth?
This question doesn’t have a simple answer. It will depend on your general health, your age and gender, and how you take your coffee. For example, if you add sugar or drink lattes with syrups in them, it’s worse for your oral health than drinking coffee black. In general, for people without health complications, it’s okay to drink 1-2 cups a day.
- Moderation is key. One or two cups of coffee a day is likely safe for most people’s oral health.
- Avoid very high consumption. Six cups a day would be considered a large amount to drink – especially when factoring in caffeine.
- Watch out for additives. Coffee with sugar or syrups can increase the risk of cavities.
- Good oral hygiene is paramount! Brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly will go a long way towards maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
- Sip water with your coffee. Grab a glass of water to sip on while you enjoy your cup of joe. And rinse with water after (swish in mouth for 30 seconds) to help reduce negative effects, like staining.
Teeth Whitening in Sun Lakes
If your teeth are stained from coffee, our dentists are here to help! At Saba and Chiappetti Dental Associates, we offer professional-strength whitening kits that adults can use at home to safely brighten their smiles. They’re easy to use, and they provide long-lasting results! Contact our office in Sun Lakes to schedule an appointment today.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use. Featured photo of coffee being poured by rahulsankraft from Pixabay on 04.15.2025.