A Cup a Day Keeps The Dentist Away?

While there are many ingredients in a cup of coffee which aren't necessarily good for drinkers, a study done for Wired Magazine reports that certain ingredients that are actually beneficial for dental health. The ingredient trigonelline, a molecule of niacin with a methyl group attached which gives coffee its signature robust-yet-luscious flavor, also acts somewhat as a cavity blocker as it keeps Streptococcus bacteria from bonding with teeth. However beneficial that might be, dental professionals still recommend that coffee drinkers drink water along with their coffee to keep the tannic acid from corroding teeth and causing discoloration. Some like it hot, but if you prefer an iced coffee, drinking colder coffee beverages through a straw is recommended to reduce  contact with your front teeth to reduce staining. More can be found on tannic acid's effect on tooth color in this article from Better Homes & Gardens. To keep your teeth a dazzling shade of white, make an appointment with Dr. Larry James D.D.S. with help from information on his website.