Certain drinks could be causing your smile more harm than good.
The foods and drinks that you choose to consume regularly can have a considerable impact on the condition of your smile. While a healthy, balanced diet can go a long way towards maintaining optimal oral health, the reality is that many popular drinks could harm your teeth. How your favourite beverage affects your teeth will depend on a few factors. This includes how acidic the drink is and what other ingredients it contains. Read on to learn how these drinks could affect your smile…
1. Sparkling water
Sparkling water may seem like a healthy choice. It’s certainly better than many sugary beverages when it comes to your overall health, but it is important to understand that it is quite acidic. It means that it tends to erode the enamel of the teeth, and if you drink it often, it could cause more harm than good.
As an alternative, opt for still water, which doesn’t have any effect on your teeth but will keep your body hydrated and your mouth moist.
2. Coffee
Many of us like to start the day with a caffeine fix. Unfortunately, coffee can cause stains on the surface of the teeth. This is because the popular beverage contains ingredients known as tannins, which cause colour compounds to stick to the teeth. When these compounds attach to the surface of the teeth, they often leave an unpleasant shade of yellow.
Coffee can also contribute to bad breath because it tends to stick to the surface of the tongue. For this reason, it is advisable that you eat something before you enjoy a cup of coffee. It’s also a good idea to drink some water after you have had a cup of coffee as this will help to minimise staining.
3. Carbonated soft drinks
Soft drinks are packed with sugar, plus they are very acidic. It means that they are among the worst beverages for your teeth. In fact, even sugar-free varieties can damage your teeth because they contain many of the same acidic ingredients as regular soft drinks.
When you drink a sugary soft drink, the sugars interact with harmful bacteria in your mouth to produce acids that attack the enamel of the teeth. It increases your risk of tooth decay over time. Similarly, the acids in soft drinks also attack the enamel, gradually wearing away at it and causing it to weaken.
4. Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages like wine tend to be acidic. It means they damage the enamel and make the teeth more prone to issues like stains and discolouration.
Most alcoholic drinks also tend to have a drying effect on the mouth. When saliva production is reduced, the teeth are more susceptible to damage, while issues like bad breath are also more likely to develop.
How can we help?
At Crookes & Jenkins Dental, we care about our patient’s oral health. We are always available to share information and advice when it comes to lifestyle habits that could affect the condition of your smile. If you have a question for us or are concerned about your oral health, we encourage you to come and see us so we can provide you with the care you need.
We offer a range of dental services, including preventative, cosmetic, and restorative treatments. We welcome patients of all ages to our practice. We will always guide you through your treatment of choice from start to end.
To find out more about our services, please have a look here.
To book an appointment to see us, please contact us here or give us a call on 07 3367 1122.
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