We have reached the middle of the summer season, and we are all feeling hot, hot, hot! When the temperature rises, most of us reach for our favorite ice cold beverages to cool off. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is a chance that your favorite drink can be harming your oral health. Our recommendation is for patients to drink plenty of water. Not only is it beneficial to your overall health, but it can help prevent bacteria from lingering in your mouth leading to unwanted decay.
Drinks to Enjoy in Moderation
We all have our favorite beverages, but things we enjoy aren’t always the best for our oral health. Many drinks are not only high in sugar, but they are also extremely acidic. Acidic drinks have the potential to weaken the tooth enamel, leading to issues such as tooth sensitivity and decay. Drinks to enjoy in moderation include:
Fruit Juice
Many people don’t realize the high sugar content in some fruit juices. When comparing the sugar levels, some fruit juices can rival soft drinks. When looking to enjoy juice, be sure to choose a watered down version or read the labels for an option with low sugar.
Coffee and Black Tea
Both of these drinks are very popular, but when over consumed they can cause severe staining to the teeth that can be difficult to remove.
Seltzers
While seltzers do not often have sugar or the ability to stain teeth, they are highly acidic. Seltzer can be a wonderful option in place of a sugary soda if you are looking for some carbonation, but it is best to enjoy in moderation.
Alcohol
Not only does most alcohol have very high sugar, but it can also cause staining as well as complications from high acid. Hard seltzers have become extremely popular over the past few years, but they can have the same effect on teeth as traditional seltzers, as mentioned above. Red wine can cause staining to the teeth, and white wine is also highly acidic.
Soft Drinks and Sports Drinks
These drinks are always popular and most often full of sugar. It can be tempting in the extreme heat to grab a sports drink to replenish electrolytes, but we recommend reaching for regular water instead.
If you have any concerns with the state of your oral health, be sure to contact our office located in Brunswick, GA. We can determine if you have any problem areas that are in need of treatment. We look forward to seeing you soon and we hope you stay cool in this heat!
