If you occasionally suffer from tooth sensitivity, it could be easier to discover the culprit than you think. In many cases, it’s the drinks we consume that cause issues with sensitivity, decay, loss of tooth enamel, staining, and other common dental issues. You might also be interested in the best beverages for dental health. We examine both below.
The Good News First
You have probably heart that calcium builds strong bones, but did you know that it helps to create strong teeth as well? Milk contains a high amount of calcium as well as Vitamin D that allows you to achieve this. It also has an ingredient called caseins, which is a type of protein that helps to prevent decay by forming a protective barrier on the enamel of your teeth. Here are some other beverages you may want to consider consuming more often:
- Herbal or green tea: These teas contain healthy antioxidants for your teeth. That’s good news when you’re craving a caffeine fix but don’t want to stain your teeth.
- Mineral water: In addition to having a high mineral content, mineral water has calcium phosphate to help rebuild damaged tooth enamel.
- Tap water: You don’t have to spend money on fancy flavored water to enjoy important oral health benefits. Water straight from the tap contains fluoride, washes away food particles that could convert to bacteria, and keeps you hydrated.
Want even better news? These drinks are free or inexpensive and require no special preparation. Drink up!
Drinks to Avoid
It probably comes as no surprise to you that soda, even the diet variety, tops the list. Most sodas have a high sugar content, which can stain your teeth and cause tooth enamel to erode. If you can’t resist having a soda, make sure to rinse your mouth out with water afterwards. Some other top offenders include:
- Black tea and coffee: A good rule of thumb here is that the darkest drinks cause the worst staining of teeth. Two ways to prevent this are to drink through a straw and to choose the lightest color tea or coffee available.
- Bottled water: Although it keeps you just as hydrated as tap water, bottled water loses its natural fluoride when it undergoes purification.
- Fruit juice: While orange juice has calcium, it also contains acid that can cause premature erosion of your teeth. The same is true of lime juice.
- Wine: To offset the stains left by dark wine, take a sip of water and swish it around in your mouth after every few sips of wine. White wine doesn’t stain as much, but unfortunately, it’s acidic to tooth enamel.
If you need more tips on good and bad beverages for your teeth or would like to get a clearer picture of your oral health, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at Southbridge Dental. We’re also happy to discuss this with you at your next preventive care exam.