Even a small change in your diet can help to safeguard your oral health. But when we think about improving our diet, we focus on the foods we consume. After all, what you drink doesn’t stay in your mouth for very long. The truth is that the substances you consume leave traces on your teeth, which can significantly negatively influence your dental health. You might need to limit a few drinks, but you can still drink water for the rest of your days. Here are some of the best (and worst) beverages for your teeth.
What are the best drinks?
- Milk – Milk is excellent for your teeth since it is packed with vitamins, minerals, and proteins. When combined with vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus help to strengthen and even restore tooth enamel while improving calcium and phosphorus absorption in the body. Vitamin D also aids in the battle against gum disease by reducing gum inflammation. In addition, milk includes a protein called casein, which forms a shield-like coating on teeth to prevent tooth decay and safeguard enamel. Although milk does include naturally occurring sugar, cavities are generally not a concern when drinking milk. You can purchase calcium-fortified almond milk alternatives if you can’t drink milk due to an allergy or lactose intolerance and still get the same dental benefits.
- White or green tea – Although tea is popular in many nations and cultures, not all teas are equally good for your teeth. The finest teas for your teeth are green and white teas. All types of tea, including green, white, and black, are high in antioxidants, which help fight bacteria that cause cavities and lessen gum inflammation. However, black tea will eventually turn your teeth yellow. White and green tea won’t, on the other hand. The additional benefit of white tea is that it is a fantastic natural supply of fluoride, which supports the health of your enamel. However, since sugar still negatively affects your teeth, you should be cautious about how much you add to your tea.
- Water – While sugary beverages leave a sugar coating on your teeth for bacteria to feed on, tap water thoroughly cleans your mouth with each swig. It clears food particles and lessens the acid your mouth’s bacteria make. Most tap water also includes fluoride, which helps to fortify your enamel and guards against tooth decay.
What are the worst drinks?
- Soda – Even though soda is one of America’s favourites, it is terrible for your teeth. It is extremely acidic and sugar-rich, which erodes your enamel and provides an abundance of sugar to feed microorganisms in your mouth. This makes your teeth susceptible to decay, which is true for regular and diet soda. Additionally, because most sodas are dark in colour, they tend to turn your teeth yellow with time.
- Wine – Red and white wine are both acidic, which is unfortunate because it harms your teeth. The fact that red wine will stain your teeth may give the impression that white wine is better for your teeth. White wine, nevertheless, has a similar issue because it is more acidic and, as a result, has a more detrimental impact on your enamel. However, this does not imply that you must completely stop drinking wine. When you eat cheese with wine, your teeth will develop a protective coating that will help shield them from the acidity and staining effects of the wine.
- Fruit juice – Fruit juice typically contains excellent vitamins, but because it is frequently concentrated, it is also quite acidic. The amount of acidity varies by juice type, with citrus-based and cranberry juices having the highest levels. Fruit juice is still permitted, but it should be consumed sparingly, diluted, or through a straw. It’s better to eat fruit than just drink juice because fruits are typically a greater source of nutrients.
- Sports and energy drinks – Sports drinks are popular after exercise because they are fantastic sources of electrolytes and hydration but are bad for your teeth. Sports drinks are very acidic and loaded with sugar, which erodes your enamel and leaves you more susceptible to tooth decay.
While you don’t have to quit enjoying your favourite drinks entirely, it’s a good idea to be aware of the potential harm they can cause your teeth. While you should keep your intake of these beverages to a minimum, there are additional measures you may take to decrease their negative effects on your teeth, such as drinking through a straw to avoid direct contact with your teeth. Be aware of the beverages that are good for your mouth’s health. When you consider all of this information, you can safeguard your oral health better and guarantee that you will continue to receive a favourable dental evaluation. Call us at 780-989-5733 to book an appointment today.