Drinks that Could be Ruining your Teeth

The Effects of Drinks on Your Teeth

We all know that the food we eat affects our teeth, but often, we forget to think about the impact of what we drink. Still, it might cross your mind when you drink something that makes your teeth feel filmy or grimy. How much do your beverages affect your teeth? The things you drink definitely impact your dental health, but which of your drinks could be ruining your teeth?

What Causes Damage to Your Teeth?

The most damaging element of any beverage is its acidity. When you eat and drink things that are acidic, measuring 5.5 or less on the pH scale, they soften your tooth enamel. This leaves your teeth sensitive and vulnerable to decay. Of course, sugar is also a problem for your teeth, because it feeds the bacteria that cause cavities.

Damaging Drinks

• Wine: Red wine can stain your teeth, but white wine is more acidic. No variety of wine is good for your teeth, though.
• Kombucha: Fermented probiotic drinks like kombucha are good for your gut, but their acid content can cause a loss of minerals and erosion of enamel.
• Soda: This carbonated, high-sugar beverage is also highly acidic. Cola is the worst soda, because it has the highest acidity, while root beer is better- it’s not as acidic as other sodas, and does not negatively impact your teeth.
• Coffee: Coffee stains the teeth, and when you drink it on a regular basis it can also wear down your enamel and increase sensitivity. Because it is not very acidic, though, drinking coffee without sugar is not too damaging.
• Sweet Tea: While brewed green tea can benefit your oral health, sweet tea is highly acidic, full of sugar, and just as staining as coffee.
• Juice: Fruit juices are concentrated, sugary, and acidic. Eating fruit is better, but if you want to drink juice, dilute it with water.
• Energy Drinks: Highly acidic, energy drinks are very damaging. They can also cause hyperactive energy that leads to teeth-grinding, which causes breakage and loss.

Better Options

• Beer: Surprisingly, there is evidence that the hops in beer can positively affect oral health, protecting against cavities.
• Brewed Tea: As long as you don’t add sugar or lemon, tea, especially green tea, can be beneficial to your teeth.
• Milk: Even though milk contains a sugar known as lactose, it is beneficial to your teeth, because it has enamel and bone-strengthening calcium.
• Coconut Water: A refreshing alternative to sports drinks, coconut water is full of antioxidants and electrolytes. Just choose a brand with a low-sugar content.
• Water: Drinking enough water increases the flow of saliva and helps to protect against tooth decay and keep gums healthy.

Park 56 Dental Group Can Help Care for Your Teeth

At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.