It’s no secret that drinking coffee is good for you. You only need to check out the long list of studies linking it to greater longevity, reduced inflammation and improved gut health to get a sense of just how powerful your daily brew can be.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. Coffee may offer a range of health benefits, but it also comes with its downsides – especially when it comes to our oral health.

That’s according to a recent TikTok from dentist Dr Suhail Mohiuddin, in which he explains the link between coffee and increased risk of tooth decay. 

It’s not really the coffee that’s the issue, though. Instead, Dr Mohiuddin explains, it’s a combination of coffee’s acidic nature and the way many of us drink it: one slow sip at a time.  

“If your mouth has a pH less than 5.5 for more than 30 minutes, your enamel begins to demineralise – which is a fancy word for dissolve,” he explained.

Of course, sugar can also fuel the amount of decay-causing bacteria in the mouth, so if you drink your coffee with lots of sugar, that can make things even worse.

However, while you might assume that brushing your teeth might be the answer to this awful dilemma, Dr Mohiuddin was quick to confirm that isn’t the case.

In fact, as he explained in a follow-up video, brushing your teeth straight after drinking coffee – when your mouth is in an acidic state – can remove your enamel. Besides putting you at higher risk of tooth decay, this can also make your teeth turn yellow. 

Don’t worry, though – you don’t need to give up your daily cup of coffee to protect your oral health. Instead, Dr Mohiuddin recommends drinking your coffee in under 30 minutes and rinsing your mouth out with water afterwards. 

You can also try chewing sugarless gum for five minutes if you want to reduce your risk of staining (and freshen up your breath). However, it’s worth noting that chewing gum can contribute to gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, so if you do struggle with that, it might be best to stick to using water. 

While your oral health might not be at the top of your priority list, making small changes like Dr Mohiuddin suggests can have a big impact – and not just on your teeth.

So, next time you sit down with a steaming cuppa, try to pay attention to how long you spend sipping away. Drinking coffee needn’t put your enamel at risk – and with just a few simple changes, you can continue to reap all the amazing benefits it has to offer.  

Images: Getty