Are Hot Drinks Bad For My Teeth? 3 Problems and How To Prevent Them

It’s hard to believe that fall is almost here! The days are getting shorter and the weather is cooler, which means it’s the perfect time to start enjoying your favorite hot drinks. Whether it’s pumpkin spice lattes, hot chocolate, or chai tea, there’s nothing better than sipping on something warm to make you feel cozy on a cold day. But if you’ve ever wondered, “Are hot drinks bad for my teeth?” you’ll be interested to learn about 3 potential risks they pose to your dental health. However, this doesn’t mean you have to give them up! Keep reading for more information and find out how you can protect your smile while still enjoying hot drinks.

1. Staining and Discoloration

Coffee and tea, along with coffee drinks like pumpkin spice lattes, are notorious for causing dental stains and discoloration. On the upside, both coffee and tea have overall health benefits, and tea has even been found to fight cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth.

2. Enamel Wear

Although plain coffee is sugar-free, it does contain acids. And while the outer layer of your teeth (called enamel) is the hardest substance in your body, it can still be worn away over time if it’s exposed to acids every day. And when you add sugar, the impact is even worse.

3. Cavities

If you frequently consume pumpkin spice lattes, hot chocolate, or other sugary hot drinks, you’re at high risk for cavities (and needing major dental work to repair them). Again, these types of drinks are twice as hard on your teeth because they have sugar and acids.

Strategies To Prevent Hot Drinks From Harming Your Teeth

The good news is that you don’t have to give up your favorite hot drinks entirely. You can prevent a lot of the problems listed above by simply limiting them to just one a day (or two at the most). Here are some other ways to protect your teeth:

• Wait 20-30 minutes until you brush – This may seem counterintuitive, but acids and sugars actually make your enamel softer (temporarily, for about 20-30 minutes). If you brush during this timeframe, you’re more likely to wear away your enamel.
• Chew sugarless gum or rinse with water – After drinking something hot, especially something with sugar, you can chew sugar-free gum to promote salivary flow, which neutralizes acids. Or, you can simply rinse your mouth out with plain water several times. This also helps prevent staining.
• Use whitening toothpaste – These formulas contain ingredients that remove everyday surface stains from coffee, tea, red wine, etc. They are a bit more abrasive, however, so be sure to use light pressure when brushing.
• Use extra topical fluoride – Swishing with a fluoride mouthwash twice a day (also called anti-cavity formula) will strengthen your enamel and counteract some of the effects of sugars and acids.
• Get 6-month checkups – Checkups are designed to prevent larger problems by finding cavities when they’re very small. This is when they can be repaired with simple, inexpensive fillings.

Warming up with a delicious hot beverage is one of the small pleasures of the colder months. By following these simple guidelines, your smile won’t suffer!

About the Author

Dr. Anita Kianimanesh (aka Dr. Kiani) has been practicing family dentistry for well over a decade. With a focus on prevention, she always educates her patients about the impact of their everyday habits and how to protect their teeth from potential damage. If you have any questions about maintaining a healthy smile this fall, she can be contacted via her website.