Beverages That Are Harmful To Oral Health
You often hear about the foods that are harmful to your oral health because of their sugar content, but did you know that your beverage choice could be even more harmful to your oral health? When you are eating, especially during a mealtime, you start eating your food and finish in a certain amount of time, unless you are a grazer. The difference with a drink is that you can nurse one for hours. Each time you take a drink, you are introducing new bacteria into your mouth. These bacteria cling to your teeth, increasing the likelihood of developing decay.
Double Impact
There are two factors that cause drinks to be harmful for your oral health: the sugar content and the acidity. Both of these can cause problems on their own, but some drinks have both, which means double the negative impact. Other drinks can severely stain your teeth. Some drinks that can be harmful to your oral health include:
- Soft drinks
- Sports beverages
- Wine
- Energy drinks
- Coffee
- Sweet tea
- Juice
Better Drink Choices
The best choice of any beverage available is water. Water not only hydrates your body, but it also helps to rid your mouth of harmful, lingering food and bacteria. We recommend drinking plenty of water throughout the day and especially during mealtime. Another great beverage choice is milk. Milk helps protect the tooth enamel and can help prevent tooth decay.
If you are looking for a water alternative, coconut water is a great choice. Be sure to choose a low-sugar option. If you are a beer lover, we recommend choosing a light beer. Not only is it lower in sugar, but it also won’t stain your teeth.
One tip to help protect your teeth while drinking is to use a straw. A straw limits the amount of liquid that touches your teeth. If you are concerned about the state of your oral health, be sure to contact our office located in Terre Haute, IN to schedule an appointment. We are here to help you and your family!
