Cultures all over the world enjoy coffee in many different ways. Some people like it hot while others like it iced. Some take it with milk and sugar while their friends might enjoy it black. You can get it in gas stations, fast-food joints, and fancy brunch spots. For many people, one’s coffee preference is a mark of their individuality. Even though coffee is so widely loved, it can leave a drinker with an unpleasant smell on their breath. Just in time for your next company breakfast, here are some dentist-approved tips for preventing and getting rid of coffee breath.
What Causes Coffee Breath?
You might recognize the smell of sulfur from burning fireworks at Independence Day celebrations, and you probably wouldn’t like that aroma on your breath. Coffee beans produce sulfur-containing chemicals during the roasting process, and the smell can linger on your breath after a few cups. To make matters more difficult, coffee contains tannins and caffeine, both of which are mildly dehydrating. This reduces saliva flow, making it harder for your mouth to wash that sulfur smell away on its own. This can also allow the bacteria in your mouth to multiply rapidly and add their own sulfur scent to the equation.
How Can I Avoid Coffee Breath?
Milk, cream, and sugar can provide odor-causing bacteria with the food they need to multiply rapidly, so taking your coffee black may reduce coffee breath. You might try using a cinnamon stick or vanilla bean as a sugar alternative. Skim milk actually contains more sugar than other options, so you might want to stick with whole milk or half-and-half.
You might also try some alternative beverages that don’t have the same effect on your breath as coffee. These include black or chai tea, herbal tea like yerba mate, or chicory root coffee.
How Can I Get Rid of Coffee Breath?
Thankfully, coffee breath is not a permanent condition. An easy way is to brush your teeth immediately after a cup of coffee, and some research shows that toothpaste containing zinc might be especially helpful. You might also try a toothpaste that contains clove oil, which has antibacterial properties. Sugar-free gum, mints, or cough drops can stimulate saliva flow. Drinking a large glass of water is another great way to cleanse your mouth of coffee breath.
You don’t have to give up your morning wake-up beverage to avoid bad breath. Sufficient hydration and excellent oral hygiene can solve the problem quickly, leaving you to a morning you’d want to be awake for.
About the Author
Dr. Spiro Saati earned his DMD from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. He is a proud member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Massachusetts Dental Society. His practice in Peabody, MA offers preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more information on good oral hygiene in the morning, contact his office online or dial (978) 531-2185.