Americans take their coffee seriously – so seriously that coffee shops and cafes have become a 10 billion dollar industry in recent years. With all of this time spent in popular chain and local coffee shops, what exactly are people ordering? Also, how are these specialty coffees, pastries, and other products affecting your teeth? Explore how the delicacies found at your local cafe can affect the health and appearance of your smile.
The Appeal of Local Coffee Shops
While some cafes are extremely simple, many of them use decor that creates an ambiance that’s all their own. In addition to this welcoming environment, most cafes offer free wi-fi, making them ideal for college students and others who have work to do on their laptops. And what better way to refresh yourself while relaxing than the selection of cappuccinos, mochas, pastries, and other tempting options that are available at your local coffee shop?
How Relaxing at Your Local Cafe Can Impact Your Smile
There are a wide variety of experiences that can be had at a typical cafe. Perhaps you drop by with a friend to talk about an important issue over a simple cup of black coffee. Maybe you plan to be there for a couple of hours to make progress on your novel, so you’re ordering an extra large specialty drink with a danish or two. Depending on the choices you make while you’re there, your trip to the coffee shop can mean very different things for your smile.
The Good News and Bad News About Black Coffee
When it comes to your smile, the good news about black coffee far outweighs the bad. While black coffee is known as one of the beverages that is most likely to stain your teeth, a certain type of it yields tangible health benefits. A strain of coffee bean found in Brazil has been proven to significantly reduce tooth decay by breaking down the biofilm that accumulates on your teeth. You won’t have to search far to find it either since Coffea canephora is used in 30% of the coffee in the world.
What’s So Special about Specialty Coffee Drinks?
Black coffee yields proven benefits for your teeth, but with options like White Chocolate Mochas and Caramel Macchiatos, how many people are ordering plain black coffee?
Specialty beverages make up a large part of the orders that customers make at their local cafes, and a lot of times the difference is the addition of flavored syrups and milk. Whether in the form of cream, syrups, or toppings, the fact is these extra ingredients have one thing in common: Sugar. Without even knowing it, drinking these types of beverages is bathing our teeth in cavity-causing sugars with every sip.
About the Food that’s Available at Most Cafes
When you think of the perfect snack to have with your coffee, what comes to mind? For many, the scones, danishes, and tarts found in their local coffee shop are the ideal match for a cup of coffee. While these desserts are tempting and delectable, let’s remember that sugar is the primary ingredient in just about every type of pastry. If your local cafe offers a salad or sandwich, these will typically be far better options for your oral health.
Simple Solutions for Your Smile
Visiting your local cafe is a relaxing part of American culture for millions of people – there’s no need to give it up. By simply ordering a water along with your beverage, you can ensure that your mouth stays well-rinsed and hydrated while enjoying your specialty drink. Plus, remembering to brush, floss, and rinse after your trip to the cafe will go a long way towards mitigating the damage to your smile.
Your Habits Affect Your Oral Health
Can you think of other activities you engage in throughout your daily life that could be affecting your health? It’s interesting to consider that some of our habits may be benefiting or harming an aspect of our health without us even realizing it. These changes clearly show the importance of making it to your biannual dental appointments. If you’re ready for your next dental exam or need a consultation, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kovacevic in Greensburg, PA today!
Why did I become a dentist? What makes me wake up in the morning?
It's hard to answer this question and not sound cheesy, but the truth is that there is something special about the way a patient smiles at you after looking at their new crown or their new veneer, or even after a simple cleaning. There's a gleam of confidence and awareness in their eyes, and it's absolutely magical. That's why I'm a dentist.
It's hard to answer this question and not sound cheesy, but the truth is that there is something special about the way a patient smiles at you after looking at their new crown or their new veneer, or even after a simple cleaning. There's a gleam of confidence and awareness in their eyes, and it's absolutely magical. That's why I'm a dentist.