Dental Health: How These Beverages Affect Your Teeth

Do you know that food and drinks, somewhere beneficial for your overall health, pass by your lips can have a dramatic impact on your teeth right from the first moment when they enter the mouth? Though most people are unaware of the harmful effects that beverages may have on your teeth. 

It is to be noted that anything measures 5.5 or less on the measuring scale is considered acidic. Teeth seem hard and strong, well they are, if considered on the basis of their structure, equally sensitive. Acidic foods and drinks soften tooth enamel which makes teeth sensitive and more likely to damage cavities. Many of the drinks are both acidic in nature and sweet so they are more likely to damage the teeth readily. 

If you’re looking to grow older with your strong teeth, look at the article below to discover which drink does best and worst to your teeth. 

1. Wine

Wine is actually good for your health. While there are various types of wines, it is important to know which does good to your teeth and which is worst. Coming towards the effect of wine, where red wine is extremely good for dental health, white wine is more acidic than red and is, therefore, more effective in destroying your enamel and leave you more susceptible to discoloration and staining, explained by a New York-based dentist. 

2. Vodka

Undeniably, Vodka is one of the favorite popular drinks at parties. But before trying this, did you ever think about the factors it can impact on your health including teeth? Vodka has a pH around 4 and in some cases, it’s more than 8. It needs to be noted that less expensive brands of vodka tend to have a lower pH, while premium brands have higher pH. Considering this, many vodkas are definitely more harmful to the teeth.   

3. Beer

While there isn’t any report on how much beer affects your health, especially teeth, some evidence still suggests that it could actually be beneficial. Hops, a common compound of beer may have some positive effects on oral health and cavity protection. So according to the report, it is found that beer is good for your oral health. 

4. Soda

Soft drinks can have several health benefits on your teeth and when they are sugar-free, the number of benefits gets doubled. Studies have really shown no difference in enamel between diet and regular sodas. And as we described above, acidity and the overall composition of the beverage have more impact in breaking down enamel.

5. Fruit Juice

Fruits are commonly known for their health benefits, and only fewer people know about their concentrated property and as a result, they tend to be more acidic than fruits eaten in their natural form. Fruit juice such as orange has a pH of 3.5 and cranberry with 2.6 pH. It is also recommended to add 50 percent of water to lower the potential damage.  

6. Fruit Punch

Fruits are commonly known for their health benefits, and only fewer people know about their concentrated property and as a result, they tend to be more acidic than fruits eaten in their natural form. Fruit juice such as orange has a pH of 3.5 and cranberry with 2.6 pH. It is also recommended to add 50 percent of water to lower the potential damage.  

7. Sparkling Water

It may not look harmful but in reality, sparkling water tends to have a pH level of between 2.74 and 3.34 that is even more effective than orange juice. So it is very clear from the report that sparkling water may cause sensitivity as it is less than 5.5 on the pH scale. 

8. Water

Water doesn’t really have any harmful impact on your teeth until it is too hot or chilled. This is why normal water is always advised to drink to keep the teeth fit for long-lasting. In fact, staying well hydrated increases the salivary flow which contains the protective minerals which protect teeth from decay. So consumption of water is necessary but it is also said that normal is more beneficial than hot or absolutely chill. 

9. Coffee

Coffee is slightly acidic (around 5.0 on pH scale), but some evidence proved that your morning java could actually be good for your teeth. According to the recent study, drinking coffee without any additives can prevent developing cavities. So if you’re drinking coffee in the morning, keep it on track, but skip the sweetener. 

10. Tea

Effects of tea literally depend on what kind of tea you’re talking about. It is tended that brewed tea typically has a pH above 5.5 which is clearly out of the danger zone. And if we talk about green tea, it has positive effects on gum health and decay prevention. 

However, when we start talking about iced tea, things change. Most ice teas have very low pH as noted in the range of 2.5-3.5 and are loaded with sugar which is literally worse than anything including brewed tea.

11. Milk

With a strong pH balance of 6.5, milk is a great choice to keep your teeth strong and healthy. A solid reason behind it is numerous components of milk. It includes various proteins and minerals such as calcium and growth of many cavity-forming bacteria in your mouth. Calcium is really beneficial for your bones as it makes them stronger. 

Including or excluding these, what you drink has a definite and immediate effect on your dental health. Apparently, benefits always take time to show their result but damage always reacts immediately for instance- sensitivity. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid some of the damages. 

For some of the drinks that are particularly acidic, use a straw. This will lower the contact of drink directly with teeth. On the other hand, for which you can’t use a straw, brush your teeth within 30 minutes of drinking something more acidic. 

Avoid hot and chilled beverages because they are more likely to affect your teeth. So if you want to grow older with your healthy teeth, help them with care and little attention and you’re good to go with your teeth for years.