For a lot of folks, September is only notable for marking the shift from Summer to Fall. People start talking about sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and leaves changing color when it rolls around. September doesn’t just note a new season, though; it also hosts National Coffee Day! If you want to keep your grin safe this month, you’ll need to adjust how you drink your java. With that said, keep reading to discover smile-friendly ways to celebrate National Coffee Day.
What’s National Coffee Day (NCD)?
It wouldn’t be surprising if you’ve never heard of National Coffee Day (NCD). The latter “holiday” has only caught on recently, not having been around very long.
NCD is a time to commemorate coffee, particularly its popularity and place in American culture. The day started getting traction in the US as early as 2005, often being marked on September 29th. It didn’t really become a genuine holiday, though, until New Orleans’ Southern Food and Beverage Museum labelled it as such in 2009. Only then did Americans see the 29th as a coffee-focused yearly event.
Smile-Friendly Ways to Celebrate NCD
While NCD is certainly fun, the coffee it honors isn’t exactly great for teeth. Consider using the tips below to drink the day’s “cups of joe” while protecting your smile:
Use Sweeteners Sparingly
When the 29th rolls around, don’t add a lot of sweeteners to your coffee. These additions are known to cause cavities, gum disease, and more when overconsumed. If you need to sweeten your drink, try opting for healthier alternatives instead.
Sip Carefully
Make sure you only take careful sips of your coffee. While swishing it might seem fine, doing so exposes your teeth to tooth-decaying acids and tooth-staining compounds. That means non-careful sips would increase your risk of cavities, yellow or brown teeth, and so on.
Drink (and Rinse With) Water
Please drink some water after you’ve had any coffee. Not only would it rinse lingering coffee residue from your mouth, but it’d also neutralize acids that damage enamel. The result would thus be a lower likelihood of cavities and “coffee breath.”
Practice Moderation
As tempted as you might be, don’t use NCD as an excuse to drink coffee all day. Having this caffeinated beverage over an extended period causes enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, and smile stains. Given that fact, please limit your coffee consumption and be mindful of how much you drink.
You’d do well to remember these tips before National Coffee Day comes. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy the 29th without damaging your grin.
About the Practice
Lifetime Dental Care is based in Hays, KS. Led by Drs. Lowe, Grove, Nelson, and Taneja, our practice is always striving to keep (or make) smiles healthy and beautiful. We thus offer tailored and comprehensive dentistry, with treatments ranging from dental checkups to emergency oral care. If your grin needs a tune-up, rest assured – our team can and will help! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (785)-992-0345.