Cafe society putting their teeth at risk
11 August 2003
Australia's café society may be putting their teeth in danger by drinking too much coffee, according to the Australian Dental Association (ADA).
During Dental Awareness Month August 2003, the ADA is advising Australians to think twice before ordering that second coffee as caffeine interferes with natural saliva production, resulting in a dry mouth.
Chairman of the ADA’s oral health education committee, Dr Don Wilson said, ‘It’s important to keep a constant flow of saliva in the mouth to ensure re-mineralisation can occur’.
Re-mineralisation is essential in order to alleviate the damage caused by acid in the mouth, which contributes directly to tooth decay.
Australians consume more than 55,000 tonnes of coffee each year: 'That’s a lot of dry mouths', said Dr Wilson.
When you have a cup of coffee, it is preferable to drink a glass of water at the same time. The water will replenish the fluid that is drawn out of the body by the caffeine.
It isn’t only coffee that dries the mouth. Any soft drink containing caffeine, such as cola and some energy drinks, has the same effect.
'We are not asking Australians to give up caffeine but, for the sake of their teeth, they should limit their intake of coffee and other caffeine-based drinks,' said Dr Wilson.
Last Reviewed: 11 August 2003
