The New UK Coffee Culture Boom
Could Your Smile Be Affected?
There are now so many coffee shops in the UK, you’re never really far from a cup of your frothy favourite, even when you’re in the countryside.
This is great news if you like a caffeine packed morning pick me up, or if you enjoy a daytime brew with a friend instead of sitting in a pub or bar. Perhaps you’re one of the many who use coffee shops like an office?
The fact is, many of us love the masses of coffee shops cropping up; the problem is, our teeth don’t love them quite as much.
Here at Abbey Road Dental, we wanted to share our advice on how drinking coffee at your local coffee shop could affect your teeth negatively. That way, once armed with the information, and some tips on enjoying coffee shops in a healthier way, you can still take advantage of this amazing new trend, without it affecting your smile.
Coffee Shops & Sugar
Unfortunately, sugar is a really big issue when it comes to the biggest coffee shop chains. Your average brew isn’t just milk and coffee. It is likely to come with shots of sugary syrup, along with whipped cream and a flavoured sweet sauce. These options are heavily advertised so that you’re desperate to try them when you go and visit the coffee shop. The problem is, these options are absolutely laden with sugar. They can be over 500 calories per drink, and some contain more sugar than a can of cola!
So conscientious customers who might not choose to drink a big glass of ‘full fat’ fizzy pop might unknowingly drink a hot drink in a coffee shop without realising that it contains just as much sugar. Drinking these drinks regularly will not be good for your teeth or general health. As far as oral health goes, the sugar feeds nasty bacteria in the mouth which omit acid which attacks the teeth. Not good! But there’s more….
Coffee & Staining
Coffee, tea and red wine are all big culprits for teeth staining. Over time, this staining can be quite bad, and noticeable and will affect the aesthetics of the smile.
How To Avoid Coffee Shops Affecting Your Smile
There are lots of ways you can enjoy coffee shops without harming your teeth. The first thing you should do is avoid the most sugary drinks by choosing drinks such as:
● Americano
● A latte or cappuccino without any sugars
● A herbal tea
● Water – yes, you can still get water in most coffee outlets!
Doing this will ensure that you avoid the high levels of sugar in the speciality drinks. Of course you could have a treat every now and then, because something every now and then is unlikely to cause any damage. With staining you can avoid the effects by skipping tea and coffee and heading straight for the herbal drinks – but look out for the non-staining ones.
Has staining already affected your smile?
If you’ve been an avid coffee or tea drinker for some time and you teeth are already stained, why not consider teeth whitening at our local practice in Abbey Road? Our team can get rid of deep stains in the teeth and lighten them, making a huge difference to how they look. At up to eight shades lighter, you’ll be surprised at the transformation, and so will your friends!
Please Call Our St John’s Wood Clinic To Make An Appointment
Are you interested in smile rejuvenation treatments like teeth whitening? Are you concerned sugary drinks from coffee shops have negatively affected your teeth? Please call us on 02076241603 and we will be happy to make you an appointment at a time convenient to you.