Let’s face it, drinks are a huge part of our lives. Whether we’re grabbing a coffee on the way to work in the morning or having a cocktail after dinner, drinks play an important role in how we live our lives. However, have you ever thought about what drinks you consume that may be bad for your teeth and gums? The article below takes a look at some of these drinks and what they could be doing to your smile.

What Sugar Does to Your Smile

Sugar acts as food for the bacteria in plaque, which causes cavities. The more sugar you consume, the more likely that cavities will form. While sugar isn’t the direct cause for cavities, it does contribute to the process. MouthHealthy by the American Dental Association explains that we all have harmful bacteria in our mouths that eat the sugars we consume. The bacteria get energy from the sugar, but in the process produce acid. The acid they make can damage teeth, causing cavities to form or erosion to occur.

Common Drinks and Their Effect on Teeth and Gums

Carbonated Drinks

Drinks that are carbonated, such as sodas, have a high sugar content which bacteria in the mouth thrive on. The bacteria produce acid which can lead to cavities or erosion. There’s also acidity in these drinks that wears away tooth enamel over time. Other carbonated drinks, such as sparkling water, can also wear away at the tooth enamel. Even though sparkling water doesn’t contain a high sugar content, the acid in these drinks isn’t great for long-term use.

Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are beverages designed for athletes who need fluid and electrolytes during physical activity. These sports drinks contain high levels of sugar, acidity and artificial sweeteners. These factors combined can lead to erosion over time. It’s important to note that drinking these types of drinks for an extended period of time isn’t great for your teeth.

Coffee Drinks

Unfiltered coffee contains many minerals which are good for our health, but also have adverse effects on our teeth. These minerals are abrasive in nature, which can wear away at tooth enamel over time. Some examples of these include espresso shots and cappuccinos.

Alcoholic Drinks

Alcoholic drinks have a high sugar content. The acidity from these types of drinks can lead to erosion, as well as being great food for harmful bacteria that live in the mouth. In fact, it’s been found that beverages containing alcohol are more likely to cause cavities or gum disease than those who don’t contain alcohol.

If you’re looking to keep your smile bright and healthy, it might also be best to avoid these types of drinks.

Things to Consider

If you’re not looking to fully do away with some of your favorite drinks, there are still some steps you can take to protect your teeth and gums. Here is what the ADA recommends:

Don’t Sip on Your Drinks

When you sip on drinks, it gives the bacteria more time to eat the sugar. Drink quickly to give your body time to wash away the bad stuff. Try to drink sweetened coffees, teas or sodas in one sitting instead of sipping on them over a longer amount of time. If you give your child juice, have them drink it with meals only, and put only water in a sippy cup they might carry around during the day.

Use Fluoride

If your community’s water is fluoridated, drink tap water to improve your dental health. Fluoride protects teeth and has reduced the number of cavities across the nation. To add more fluoride into your routine, look for toothpastes and mouth-rinses that contain this as an ingredient.

Brush and Floss Your Teeth

Brush your teeth twice a day and clean between your teeth by flossing once a day. Ask your dentist about the best way to do this. Help all kids under the age of eight to brush and floss well, and be sure to visit your dentist regularly. It’s important to note, however, that you should wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after consuming these drinks. This is because those drinks can leave your teeth vulnerable for a bit of time and brushing immediately after can do more harm than good.

Good Drink Alternatives

If you’re looking for ways to add healthier drinks to use daily life, then here is a list for you:

• Drink more water! The best drink option for your dental and overall health will always be water.
• Milk. Milk is a great drink and comes with a variety of dental health benefits, such as protecting your teeth from decay.
• Unsweetened tea. Unsweet tea is a great way to still get your caffeine in.
• Diluted Juice. For your children, dilute their juice with a little bit of water to help protect their teeth from the harsh acidity in juices.

Make an Appointment with Mountain Aire Dentistry

Our team at Mountain Aire Dentistry is here to help you by offering the best in  dental care. We have a state-of-the-art office that serves the residents of Broomfield, CO. For an appointment, call us now at: (303) 731-7755.