What You Drink Affects Your Oral Health

By Patrick J. Soria, DDS | Blog | 0 comment | 31 July, 2019 | 0

Did you know that what you drink also impacts your oral health? Some beverages can help support happy healthy teeth, while others can work against you.

What Drinks Can be Harmful to Your Teeth?

Citrus Beverages

Contain high acid levels that are harmful to your tooth enamel
Increases risk of tooth erosion
Often have additional sugars added

Coffee/Espresso

Stains the teeth
Hot beverages open the pores of your teeth making them more vulnerable to damage
High acidity levels increase bacteria and the risk of gum disease

Soda Pop

Effects of high acidity levels are multiplied by high sugar levels
Causes erosion of the tooth enamel

What Drinks can Promote Oral Health?

Water

Rinses your mouth of food debris
Tap water contains fluoride which reduces the risk of cavities
Reduces the risk of dry mouth, which can increase tooth decay

Milk

Contains calcium and phosphates that protect tooth enamel
Reduces acid in the mouth, especially beneficial after eating acid-formingsugary goods
A healthy alternative to sugary drinks

Green and Black Tea

Contains polyphenols that attack harmful bacteria
Can help reduce the risk of gum disease and cavities
Is non-erosive, so it won’t encourage the demineralization that weakens enamel

How to Minimize the Damage of Harmful Drinks

Drinking harmful beverages in moderation is a great start but there are some other things you can do to reduce the potential damage they cause. Here are some easy tips that you can follow:

Drink the beverage in one sitting rather than sipping throughout the day
After consumption, rinse your mouth with water
Use a straw
Brush your teeth after finishing the drink

Being aware of how beverages can help or harm your teeth will help you to make informed choices. And although it’s unlikely that you will never drink coffee again, knowing how to mitigate the risks and to make better choices can help keep your mouth healthy. If you have more questions about maintaining a healthy smile, contact us online or give Debbie a call at 440.354.0705.