We all know to avoid sugary drinks. But some beverages can wreak even more damage than others regarding our dental health. Drinks that contain acids and other chemicals can eat away at the enamel, the hard outer layer of your teeth. And some drinks can even cause cavities or tooth decay when consumed regularly over time. With that said, this article will discuss how common beverages affect your teeth. But first, here’s a look at why each drink is so harmful.
Coffee and Tea
You may have heard that coffee and tea stain your teeth. Coffee is acidic, which can cause enamel erosion, while tea contains tannins, which make the stains more difficult to remove. If you’re a heavy coffee or tea drinker, these two beverages may be the biggest culprits in the long-term damage they inflict on your teeth. But there’s more to it than that.
Both drinks contain a lot of caffeine, leading to dehydration and tooth sensitivity. If you’re drinking coffee or tea, make sure to drink plenty of water as well so that your teeth aren’t at risk for cavities. If you’re a heavy caffeine drinker, it’s also advisable you visit the dentist often. Since caffeine can cause decay, tooth breakage and loss can occur. That said, your dentist may suggest a tooth implant or crowns as a solution.
Energy Drinks
As mentioned above, caffeine can danger your oral health. They also contain other ingredients that can be harmful to your teeth, including taurine and sugar. Taurine is an amino acid found naturally in meat, fish, and other foods, but it’s also added to some energy drinks as a flavoring agent.
The amount of taurine in an energy drink isn’t enough to cause harm, but it can accelerate the decay process. Sugar is another problem. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows up to 50 grams of sugar in a 2,000 calorie diet, most energy drinks contain much more than that.
Alcoholic Beverages
The most common drinks consumed in the U.S. are alcoholic beverages, which have several adverse effects on your teeth, mouth, and overall health. The main reason why alcohol consumption is so bad for you? It’s a diuretic, which makes you urinate more than usual as your body tries to flush out all toxins. Alcohol also causes tooth sensitivity, dry mouth, and bad breath — not exactly what you want regarding oral health.
Soda
Soda (such as cola) is the most harmful drink for your dental health. It’s high in sugar and acid, which can erode tooth enamel. In fact, soda can even cause cavities!
If you love to drink soda, try to cut it down by swapping it for water or sparkling water instead of tap or filtered tap water. If your mouth feels like it needs something sweet after drinking plain water all day long, add some flavored stevia drops instead of using chemical-laden sodas that will only worsen your teeth.
Juices
If you’re not careful, juice can actually be very harmful. Juice is high in sugar and acidity, which can damage teeth enamel and cause cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. The natural sugars found in juices will feed bacteria that cause dental plaque to form on your teeth. Drinks like apple cider vinegar have been shown to reduce plaque buildup when used regularly, but it’s best not to use this as a substitute for water or other healthy drinks as it is still acidic.
Meal Replacement Shakes
Meal replacement shakes are designed to replace one or more meals per day. They’re usually high in protein and contain fewer calories than a meal prepared from scratch. This can be helpful for people who are trying to lose weight or maintain their weight-loss goals by reducing their calorie intake. However, these drinks often contain artificial sweeteners, which can cause cavities if used regularly.
You may still consume meal replacement shakes, but not every day. If you are trying to lose weight, it’s best not to use this as a substitute for water or other healthy drinks, as it is still acidic.
Conclusion
Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions about your dental health and the drinks you consume. Remember that in addition to avoiding things like coffee, alcohol, and soda, you can also do many things to prevent tooth decay or gum disease. For example, your dental hygiene should include brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once. You should also visit your dentist for regular check-ups, allowing them to identify any problems early on.
