When most people think about the foods and drinks that damage the teeth, they immediately think “sugar”. While sugary drinks do indeed damage the teeth, they are not the only ones you have to worry about.
The Effects of Acidic Drinks on Dental Health
When most people think about the foods and drinks that damage the teeth, they immediately think “sugar”. While sugary drinks do indeed damage the teeth, they are not the only ones you have to worry about.
Drinks with high acid content have the potential to damage your teeth over time, and in this article, we shall be taking a look at how harmful they really are to your teeth, what acidic drinks are the biggest offenders, and what you can do to protect your teeth from potential damage.
Why Acidic Drinks are Bad for the Teeth
Acidic drinks can be very tough on the teeth if you consume them on a regular basis. This is because they tend to wear down the enamel (the strong outer layer) that protects the teeth. As the enamel wears down, the teeth become weakened and susceptible to erosion which can be permanent (the tooth enamel is not a living cell, so it can’t repair itself naturally).
A drink is considered acidic if its pH level is below 7.0, and this acidity level is determined by the amount of acid the drink contains from citrus and other additives. The lower the pH level of a drink, the more acidic and harmful it is to your teeth.
Regular consumption of acidic drinks can lead to issues like; teeth discolouration, tooth sensitivity (cold, heat, and air), tooth pain, abscess or tooth loss, higher risk of cavities, and enamel erosion which may require the need for dental fillings, root canals, dental crowns, and tooth extraction.
Acidic Drinks to Avoid
A surprising amount of drinks are acidic and may pose a risk to the health of your tooth’s enamel. Even some healthy beverages like fruit juice contain acids that can be tough on your teeth. Any type or flavour of drink can be acidic. It all depends on its ingredients, formulation, and additives.
Carbonated and bubbly beverages are the most likely culprit since carbonation tends to raise the acidity of a drink. Some sugar-free drinks can also be acidic.
The common acidic drinks that you should avoid include; teas, coffee, juices with high citrus content, carbonated drinks (sodas), sports drinks, and sugar-free soft drinks and sodas. Even if a lot of people consider tea as an healthy drink you’d be surprise how many grams of sugar is in sweet tea especially on a carbonated drinks.
Ways to Protect Your Teeth From Acidic Drinks
While it may not be possible to completely avoid all of the acidic drinks mentioned above, practicing moderation when consuming them will go a long way to protect your teeth and smile.
Saliva also does an amazing job of helping your teeth fight against erosion by washing away the acids left by these drinks while maintaining your teeth’s outer layer. This means that consuming foods that stimulate the production of saliva can give your teeth a good chance of fighting against acid and erosion.
You can also lower the amount of damage done to your teeth by acidic drinks when you follow these tips recommended by our Sutton dentists.
- Rinsing your mouth with bottled or tap water after consuming acidic drinks. This will wash away any acids left behind in your mouth and limit the amount of damage.
- Consuming dairy products to provide a protective film over the enamel and prevent cavities.
- Limiting the quantity of acidic drinks you consume at a time.
- Using a straw while drinking acidic drinks. This will help the liquid go past your teeth and straight down your teeth. Bear in mind that a straw will not completely prevent dental erosion from acidic drinks. Make sure to also avoid swishing the drink around your mouth.
- Avoid brushing right after you drink. Waiting for at least one hour before brushing gives your saliva enough time to naturally harden your enamel.
- Chewing sugar-free gum can also help promote the production of saliva, which helps to wash away some of the acids and repair the enamel.
- Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine that includes brushing your teeth twice daily (for 2 minutes) with fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with mouthwash.
- Try to build healthier habits by swapping out sugary and acidic drinks for water.
- Talking to your dentist about recommendations for dietary choices that are best for maintaining long-term dental health.
Conclusion
Like sugary drinks, acidic drinks have the potential to damage your teeth over time. Luckily, you can prevent this damage by limiting their consumption and sticking to healthier options. If you do consume acidic drinks, the above tips can help reduce the amount of damage caused by the acids.