If you are like most people, you probably get your day started with a cup of coffee. Then, as your day progresses, you drink other beverages like juices and soda to keep yourself awake and energetic. But did you know that most of these drinks can compromise the health of your teeth?

Those that have a pH level of 5.5 or less are acidic and can be very damaging to the teeth. As such, choosing the right beverages that won’t affect your teeth is important if you want to avoid calling an emergency dentist in Edmonton.

Are you curious which among your favourite beverages are actually harmful to your pearly whites? Read on to find out!

 Coffee

Coffee may be one of your daily staples as a quick pick-me-up, but unfortunately, it’s also one of the most staining drinks that could turn your teeth yellow. It’s because of the tannins that are found in coffee. Additionally, it can put your teeth at risk of getting enamel erosion due to the bacteria that are attracted to coffee.

Soda

Your favourite ice-cold soda may be refreshing on a very hot day, but it can actually increase your risk of getting cavities and tooth decay! Yes, soda is one of the culprits behind the growing number of cavities and tooth decay, especially among teens. This happens when the acid coming from soft drinks gets in contact with your enamel and softens it. Then, it affects the second outer layer of your teeth, which is the dentin. The more often you drink pop, the worse the damage can be.

Cutting back on your soda intake can easily help prevent tooth decay. But if you can’t do that, at least use a straw when you’re drinking it to minimize the contact between the soda and the enamel.

Fruit Juices

You might think that fruit juices are better than soda, right? The thing is, they are actually packed with sugar, and they are also highly acidic! So, yes, they can also cause cavities and eventual decay. If you can’t stop drinking fruit juices, you should at least do something with its concentration by diluting it with water. Of course, you should also limit your intake if you really want to protect your teeth.

Wine

Wine can be dehydrating not only to your body but also to your mouth. Now, what’s worse is that dry mouth can actually make you vulnerable to the acid from the wine. There’s also less saliva in your mouth that could offer a layer of protection to your enamel. And although white wine is more acidic than red wine, both can be staining.

What you can do to neutralize the acid in your mouth is to drink water after you drink wine or at least rinse your mouth. However, you should wait before brushing your teeth as this could only spread the acid around your mouth.

Conclusion

At this point, you now know that not all of the drinks you love should be enjoyed carefreely. Because of this, you must be aware of what food and beverages you’re consuming that could be detrimental to your oral health. Your teeth may be really strong, but they’re still vulnerable to acid, sugar, and more.

If you want to keep your teeth from getting damaged, you should watch what you eat or drink and also get regular teeth cleaning services from your trusted dentist.

If your teeth are already stained, you need to consider getting teeth whitening in Edmonton. Our experts at Edmonton Smiles will clean and whiten your teeth to help restore your smile! Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment!

Posted in Dental News & Advice