If you have a hard time passing up a soda for lunch or coffee each morning, you may be saddened to learn that some of your favorite, popular beverages can be doing serious harm to your teeth. If you’re tired of your smile not looking its best or wondering why you’re suddenly experiencing more toothaches, it might be time to trade the tall glass of caffeine you crave for ice water or another suitable beverage.
Which Beverages Are Bad for Your Teeth?
Want to keep your smile in tip-top shape? It might be forgoing some of the following beverages to make that happen. While the list is long, here are 4 of the most harmful drinks you can consume that negatively impact your teeth:
- Soda: In addition to affecting your waistline, no matter if the soda has sugar in it or not, the acidity within the soft drink can break down your tooth enamel and lead to cavities as well as stains and discoloration.
- Iced tea: While some teas are okay for your teeth (i.e. green tea), iced tea usually has lots of sugar in it, making you more susceptible to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.
- Wine: Enjoy sipping on a glass of red or wine each evening? You might want to think twice since wine is highly acidic and can destroy your tooth enamel.
- Fruit juice: Just like many of the other beverages listed, fruit juices are usually concentrated, which means they have a lot more acidity in them than regular fruit.
What Are Some Healthier Alternatives?
If any of the above-mentioned beverages are some of your favorites, try swapping them for one or a few of the following alternatives:
- Water: If you always want to play it safe with the drinks you consume, opt for water. Not only is it great for your overall health, but it increases the flow of saliva and flushes out any harmful bacteria and left-behind food particles.
- Milk: Milk contains a large amount of calcium, which is great for strengthening tooth enamel. When pouring your child a glass, why not make one for yourself and keep cavities from forming in your mouth.
- Coffee: This one is tricky since it is known to cause stains and discoloration, but it’s also known for preventing cavities from forming. That is unless you add in cream and sugar. If you enjoy a cup of black coffee every now and then, you’ll likely be safe from developing cavities, but try not to drink it too often.
How to Maintain Good Oral Health on the Go
If possible, try to always keep a small bag with oral hygiene essentials in it, such as:
- Travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Toothpicks
- A small bottle of mouthwash
These small items will help keep your mouth healthy and fresh while at work or out to dinner with friends or family.
When enjoying a night out, opt for a healthier alternative to sip on. If you simply cannot pass up that favorite glass of wine or soda, drink it through a straw to minimize the contact the liquid has with your teeth.
About the Author
If you’re wondering why your smile isn’t looking its best nowadays, Dr. Greg Friedman and his team can discover the root cause, especially if stains or discoloration are what’s keeping you from looking your best. Offering valuable patient education and tips on how to keep smiles looking their best, Dr. Friedman will work to provide beneficial treatments should you wish to improve and enhance your smile’s appearance. Attending San Diego State University, Dr. Friedman went on to complete his dental degree at Washington University’s School of Dental Medicine before spending one year at the world-renowned Barnes Medical Center in St. Louis for a General Practice Residency. Caring for patient smiles in San Diego, he and his team at Mod Squad Dental use the latest in state-of-the-art dental technology to transform smiles by improving their aesthetics and overall health. To learn more, visit our website or call (858) 682-2394.
