Could drinking coffee be good for your teeth?
For many years we have associated drinking coffee with poor oral health; after all, coffee drinkers tend to be associated with discolored teeth and chronic…
Drinking coffee could lower risk of gum disease.(Shutterstock)
For many years we have associated drinking coffee with poor oral health; after all, coffee drinkers tend to be associated with discolored teeth and chronic bad breath. New research suggests, however, that drinking coffee may actually help prevent tooth and gum disease.
A Boston University Study published this month in the Journal of Periodontology suggests the antioxidants in coffee produce a form of protection over teeth and gums by inhibiting the bacteria in the mouth responsible for gingivitis and tooth decay.
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“We found that coffee consumption did not have an adverse effect on periodontal health, and, instead, may have protective effects against periodontal disease, said Nathan Ng, lead author of the study, in a press release. “[The study is] the first long-term study of its kind that has investigated the association between coffee consumption and periodontal disease in humans.”
The antioxidants in coffee are no secret; researchers have been investigating these compounds for the last decade. According to a report from Fox News, coffee is considered high in antioxidants known as flavonoids, substances since linked to antiviral, anti-allergic, anti-platelet, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor health benefits.
Drinking just a cup or two of coffee a day may prevent gum disease by reducing tooth loss with health-boosting antioxidants. (Shutterstock)
Coffee contains the antioxidants caffeic acid, caffeine, the chlorogenic acids, eugenol, gamma-tocopherol, isoeugenol, p-coumaric acid, scopoletin and tannic acid, many of which are considered basic antioxidants needed in a daily diet. This is good news for the millions of coffee drinkers in the world who many not be getting enough antioxidants through fruits and vegetables but who remember to drink their coffee everyday.
Researchers compiled the data on coffee and dental health by surveying a group of more than 1,100 study participants about their coffee consumption. Experts then controlled for factors such as oral habits and hygiene, alcohol consumption, routine dental cleanings, body mass index, and diabetes symptoms.
At the end of the investigation, coffee remained beneficial for preventing gum disease and tooth decay.
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“The results of the study certainly sound encouraging for long-time coffee drinkers who are worried about how their caffeine consumption can affect their dental health, said Tan Garrett, spokesperson for ErskineDental.net. When it comes to their teeth, coffee drinking should be the least of their concerns now.”
Of course, there are always other health consequences to be considered when looking at the benefits of drinking coffee. While it does have some benefits, coffee also contains caffeine which may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions. Also, a large number of people don’t drink just plain black coffee; adding flavors, sugar and cream to coffee significantly increases its caloric content and may not be good for someone on a weight-loss program.
