Beverages And How They Can Negatively Affect Your Oral Health
You often hear about the importance of drinking enough water during the day. Not only is water important for your overall health, but it is also necessary for your oral health. Water helps prevent dry mouth, a condition where your mouth doesn’t make as much saliva as you need to wash away any harmful bacteria that lingers after eating. We know that some of our patients substitute other beverages for water. We want to remind you that many of your favorite beverages may be causing severe harm to your oral health. These beverages can cause harm to your teeth and mouth:
Soft Drinks
The carbonation and sugar levels in your favorite soft drinks can be harmful to your oral health. Carbonated drinks can eat away at tooth enamel, leading to problems with sensitivity and decay. Dark-colored soft drinks, such as cola, can cause staining on the teeth.
Coffee
This beverage can be harmful to your oral health for two reasons. The first is that coffee can cause severe staining, especially if you drink black coffee multiple times per day. Specialty coffees that are popular can be full of sugar that is harmful to teeth. It is also dangerous if sipped slowly throughout the day.
Juice
People often think that they are doing something healthy when they drink juice. Many juices actually have more sugar than some candy bars!
Sports Drinks
While playing sports, hydration is key. Sports drinks are popular when playing sports or during extreme heat. These beverages have more sugar than is necessary for your oral health. Water is a great alternative!
We want to make sure our patients in Houston, TX and the surrounding area not only get the best dental care possible, but are also informed and educated on how to keep their teeth healthy. Please call our office if you have questions or want more information on how you can achieve great dental health.
