Great Ways to Get Rid of Coffee Breath

If you’re a coffee drinker, you may see nothing wrong with the habit. After all, a cup of java is tasty and perks you up for work. Still, coffee does have a notable downside: drinking it can cause bad breath. Fortunately, though, ways exist to remove and prevent this effect. As for what they are, let your Loveland dentist explain. Read on to learn what causes coffee breath, how to remove it, and tips on preventing it.

Why Does Coffee Cause Breath Issues?

In general, there are two big reasons why coffee causes bad breath.

Firstly, it has sulfur-containing compounds from roasted coffee beans. Combined with the drink’s natural acidity, these can make your mouth smelly. Sulfur is, you see, known for its unpleasant odor.

At the same time, coffee also causes dry mouth – a condition that worsens lousy breath. This result is partly due to caffeine dehydrating you. It also stems from coffee’s tannins, which inhibit saliva production. Without that mouth liquid, oral bacteria will release more bad-smelling gas.

Ways to Get Rid of Coffee Breath

You don’t need to skip your cup of joe to solve poor breath. Instead, just stick to some good oral habits. These practices include the following:

• Brush Your Teeth After a Cup: If you follow up coffee with tooth brushing, you’ll remove smelly bacteria and plaque from your mouth. This removal is even more effective when you rely on fluoridated toothpaste.
• Have a Sugar-Free Mint or Sugarless Gum: Mints and gum both have breath-freshening properties. By taking them, your mouth will smell much better.
• Swish with Mouthwash: The right alcohol-free mouthwash will eliminate smelly bacteria and leftover coffee. Even better, it’ll relieve your dry mouth by stimulating saliva production.
• Drink Lots of Water: By drinking plenty of water after your coffee, you’ll keep your mouth from going dry. Furthermore, the act washes away leftover food, acids, and other particles from between your teeth.

Can Coffee Breath Simply Be Avoided?

Of course, avoiding coffee breath is better than merely removing it. Thankfully, research suggests there’s a way to do so. All you need to do is have coffee without any add-ins.

You see, milk and sugar can push coffee breath over the edge. Bacteria feed on these substances, leading to greater sulfur production. You should thus switch them out for sweet-tasting substitutes like cinnamon or skim milk.

Your coffee breath shouldn’t hold you back from a preferred beverage. Therefore, use the tips above and talk to your dentist about how to counter it.

About the Practice

Gerome & Patrice Family Dentistry is based in Loveland, OH. Led by Drs. Mark Gerome and Gina Patrice, our practice strives to provide patients with top-level dentistry. To that end, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dental care. Our office is even a certified provider of sleep apnea treatment and clear aligners. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (513)-677-1349.