It’s commonly known that certain food items and drinks have a positive or negative impact on the health of your teeth and mouth. In order to reduce issues such as build-up, staining, plaque, enamel erosion and tooth decay, it’s important to consider what you are eating and drinking. As the first line of defence, poor nutrition is first noticed in the mouth.
If you are wondering the best and worst drinks for your teeth, you have come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know.
How do Drinks Affect Your Teeth?
The effects of drinks on your teeth depend entirely on the product that you’re consuming. Fizzy drinks, sugary drinks, alcoholic drinks and more all have an impact on your oral health in a different way. When you consume drinks that are worse for your teeth, plaque can build up which over time will start to attack the enamel of your tooth.
And as the enamel breaks down, you could experience pain, abscesses, tooth decay, gum disease and in some cases, even tooth loss. On the contrary, healthy drinks will minimise the chance of plaque building up, as your saliva can easily break down the substance for digestion.
Top 3 Best Drinks for a Healthy Smile
Water
It goes without saying that the number one drink that you can consume for a healthy smile is water. Acting just like saliva, water works to wash excess acid and sugars from your teeth, minimising the chance of plaque building up.
And in most cases, you will also enjoy a dose of fluoride for added protection against tooth erosion.
Milk
Second to water, milk is another great choice of drink if you want to achieve a healthy smile. It contains vitamins and minerals including calcium and phosphates that help to protect your tooth enamel and reduce the risk of tooth decay.
And as an added bonus, it helps to produce saliva which in turn, washes away acid and sugar much like water.
Green Tea
Green tea contains polyphenols which work to kill or hold back the bacteria that causes plaque. As a reduction in plaque helps to protect the enamel layer of your teeth, it’s a great drink to consume for a healthy smile. And depending on the water used to brew your teeth, you could also get some fluoride for added protection.
Top 3 Worst Drinks for Your Teeth (and Why)
Fizzy Drinks
It’s no secret that fizzy drinks, including energy drinks, are bad for your teeth. Their acidity levels and sugar content make them a double threat for your oral health, causing damage to the enamel on your teeth.
When it comes to energy drinks, they also make your mouth dry. And without enough saliva to wash away the acid and sugar, you’re more likely to run into dental problems.
Alcoholic Drinks
Alcoholic beverages, especially cocktails and wine are very bad for your teeth. They are often high in acid and sugar, particularly those that contain fizzy mixers or fruit juices, and this can leave you at risk of a variety of dental issues including plaque build-up, tooth decay and bad breath. And the alcoholic content itself can dry out your mouth, which can worsen symptoms.
Fruit Juices
Although fruit juices may be beneficial for your body, your teeth would disagree. Unbeknown to some, the sugar content in most fruit juices is incredibly high which can cause a build-up of plaque.
Whether you are consistently sipping fruit juices throughout the day or consuming them in one go, they can lead to a variety of dental problems including tooth decay, enamel erosion and tooth sensitivity.
Tips for Minimising Damage
When it comes to reducing damage, there are a number of steps that you could take.
- Dropping the quantity of drinks that you consume that are bad for your teeth.
- Using a straw when consuming drinks in order to avoid contact with your teeth.
- Drinking water immediately after sugary or acidic drinks to rinse your teeth.
- Waiting at least 30 minutes after consumption to brush your teeth to avoid spreading the acid further.
Changing your drinking habits is the best way to minimise the damage to your teeth. Water and milk are both clear winners when it comes to healthy drinks, and reducing the amount of sugar and acid in your diet is the optimal way to ensure a healthy smile.
The Surprising Truth About ‘Healthy’ Drinks
The truth about drinks that are seemingly healthy is that they contain a lot more sugar than you might think. Many smoothie drinks and fruit juices are advertised as being healthy because they contain fruit, but it’s important to also check the sugar content.
In most cases, extra sugar is added to ensure that the taste of the drink is sweet and appealing. Without this, it would be too sharp. In some drinks, the sugar content could be almost as high as fizzy drinks such as cola and lemonade.
Speak to an Expert
It’s not essential to cut all sugary and acidic drinks from your diet but being mindful of your consumption habits will help to minimise the risk of damage to your teeth. For more information on how you can improve your oral health, book an appointment with the experts at My Family Dental.
