Dental issues such as tooth decay, teeth stains, plaque buildup and gum disease are painful and unsightly. What many people don’t realize is that these dental issues go beyond oral hygiene and, if untreated, can eventually negatively impact your overall health. Without proper dental hygiene, bacteria in the mouth can reach dangerous levels, which is believed to contribute to several diseases and conditions including endocarditis and cardiovascular disease.
The food you eat and the beverages you drink contribute to the overall health of your teeth. Consuming certain beverages makes it harder to get your teeth clean. Drinks such as coffee, tea, sports drinks, wine, energy drinks, and sodas cause unsightly stains and sugary drinks increase the risk of tooth decay.
Although water is best for your dental health, if you decide to consume sugary beverages or drinks commonly known to cause staining, it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth immediately following consumption. Sipping these drinks through a straw will reduce their impact on your pearly whites.
Here are some beverages you should avoid for healthier teeth:
Fruit Juice
Many people choose fruit juice as they feel it is a better option than soda. However, fruit juice can contain just as much sugar as the leading cola products. In fact, apple juice can have as much as 10 teaspoons of sugar per serving. It’s not just the sugar in fruit juice that causes a problem. Fruit juice also contains citric acid, which contributes to tooth decay.
Sports Drinks
Sports drinks contain up to 19 grams of sugar per serving, which is more sugar than the leading cola beverages. These drinks also contain an unhealthy amount of salt. In addition to eroding tooth enamel, sports drinks are not a good option for anyone following a healthy diet.
Soda
High in both sugar and acid, soda is possibly the worst beverage for your teeth. Soda eats away at tooth enamel, increasing the likelihood of cavities and tooth decay. Consuming soda also increases your chance of developing diabetes and other serious health conditions.
Energy Drinks
We consume these drinks for a quick “pick me up”, improved concentration or aid in our pursuit for health and vitality. Unfortunatley most of these energy drinks can do some serious damage our teeth. They might help get you through a run or an intense workout, but know they can be full of refined sugar, sweeteners, and acidic ingredients, which can erode tooth enamel over time.
Alcohol
Alcohol is highly acidic, contains a lot of sugar, and quickly dehydrate your body of water which can reduce the amount of saliva produced in your mouth. Without enough saliva your mouth you won’t have enough beneficial bacteria to help fight plaque buildup and other issues such as halitosis (bad breath).
Ice
Ice has earned its place on this list even though it’s not technically a beverage. Many people believe that chewing ice is good for their teeth. While ice does not contain any sugar or acid, chewing on ice increases your chance of damaging your tooth’s enamel and potentially causing dental emergencies such as a chipped or broken tooth.
Although it’s not always possible to avoid the beverages listed above, proper dental hygiene can help reduce their impact on your teeth. Adults and children should brush at least two times a day for two minutes with a high-quality product such as LIVFRESH Dental Gel to help keep bacteria levels low, remove plaque, and generally improve oral health.
LIVFRESH Dental Gel cleans teeth better than ordinary toothpaste. This unique gel cleans all areas of the mouth including hard-to-reach places. It also prevents tartar formation, keeping teeth healthy and clean.
Please contact us for more information about how our revolutionary Dental Gel can help improve your oral health.