The Worst Drinks for Your Teeth

Some of the drinks we consume on a daily basis could be causing a considerable amount of damage to our teeth. Although sugary drinks can give us a little energy boost or brighten up our lunch breaks, they can also cause damage to tooth enamel, leading to a number of oral health issues.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the worst drinks for our teeth, as well as a couple of healthier alternatives.

Drinks that Hurt Your Teeth

Coffee and Tea

A morning cup of coffee or tea is an essential for millions of people. However, coffee can lead to the discolouration of teeth and, if you enjoy your morning coffee with a spoonful of sugar, then you could be causing extra damage. The antioxidants in tea can be good for you, but tea can again cause stains; especially if you drink it black.

Sports Drinks

Many leading sports drinks contain more sugar than fizzy drinks, with some averaging over 19 grams of sugar per serving. The sugar in these drinks can be great for energy recovery after a tough workout or a sporting activity, but consuming too many could cause damage to your teeth. In addition, some of these drinks contain very high amounts of salt, which can also be damaging.

Alcohol

Whether you prefer wine, beer or spirits, alcohol can damage your teeth, as the strength of the alcohol can wear down the enamel. The sugar content of some alcoholic beverages can cause decay, while dark spirits and red wines can also cause staining.

Fizzy Drinks

Soft drinks such as lemonade or cola can cause damage to teeth due to their acidity and their sugar content. Did you know, for example, that one bottle of a fizzy drink could contain more than your daily recommended sugar intake?

Although there’s no problem with consuming the occasional fizzy drink, you should be careful to not over-consume, as these drinks can eat away at the enamel that protects your teeth. Wherever possible use a straw when consuming drinks with a high sugar content as this helps to bypass the teeth and therefore reduces their exposure to potential harm.

Fruit Juices

Many people consume fruit juice as a ‘healthy alternative’ to fizzy drinks, but some contain almost as much sugar. This is because fresh fruit juice contains a number of natural sugars, as well as citric acids that can cause tooth decay.

Drinks that Help Your Teeth

Water

Water can help to actively clean your teeth as you drink, helping to strengthen them. In addition, water can also clean any leftover foods or acids from your teeth as you drink, clearing away bacteria and sugars in the process. As well as containing no calories, water can also help to restore the pH balance in your mouth.

Milk

Milk is rich in calcium, along with other dairy products. This calcium can help to strengthen bones and teeth. In addition, it also contains a protein known as casein, which can strengthen tooth enamel and help to fight tooth decay.

Protecting Your Teeth

Of course, simply avoiding all of these unhealthy drinks and only drinking water or milk is impractical. So, instead of cutting out all of these drinks, just drink them in moderation. To prevent any possible problems, you should also ensure that you have a good oral hygiene routine to prevent any sugars from sitting on your teeth. To do this, make sure that you brush twice a day and floss once a day.

Finally, ensure that you book a regular check-up with your dentist. If you’re concerned about the impact of sugary drinks on your oral health, then call us on 07 3236 2984 or click to book an appointment for a check-up.