While many drinks, like sodas and coffee, can be damaging to your teeth, there are some beverages that can actually help you maintain a healthy smile.
Here are 3 drinks that are good for your teeth and your overall oral health.
Water not only keeps you hydrated, it is a great beverage to help you maintain good dental health. Sugary drinks lead to tooth decay, but water doesn’t contain sugar, making it a good choice for your teeth. Water helps remove food particles in your mouth and between teeth, reducing your risk for cavities.
The best kind of water you can drink is tap water because it contains sufficient levels of fluoride to help strengthen and rebuild the enamel of your teeth. There are some bottled waters that contain fluoride, but most purify their water using processes that eliminate all fluoride from the water.
The suggested daily intake of water has traditionally been 8 eight-ounce glasses of water (64 ounces) a day, but many experts suggest that sufficient water intake is unique for every person. Talk to your doctor about how much water you need.
Calcium and phosphorous are the 2 most abundant minerals in your body. These minerals help strengthen and rebuild the enamel of your teeth. Milk is a great source of both calcium and phosphate, making it a great beverage to help maintain strong teeth.
Milk also contains caseins, proteins that combine and form a protective layer of film over your enamel, making your teeth more resistant to decay.
However, because milk naturally contains sugars, babies and young children shouldn’t be given a bottle of milk overnight or throughout the entire day. If they constantly bathe their teeth in milk, the sugars can lead to tooth decay.
The American Dental Association (ADA) reported findings in a study that suggests drinking milk after sugary foods can help lower plaque acid levels. The bacteria in your mouth feed off the sugars in the foods you eat and the beverages you drink, and then produce acids that break down your enamel. Lowering the amount of acid produced can reduce the harmful effects of sugar on your teeth (tooth decay). Instead of having a glass of milk while eating a sugary food, drink milk after eating.
Clear teas, like white and green teas, are less likely to severely stain your teeth. They also function like water, washing away food particles in your mouth.
A study in 2009 suggests that green tea may help fight gum disease. The participants who drank at least one cup of green tea a day experienced a decrease in gum recession and bleeding (two common signs of gum disease).
A 2014 analysis of 19 studies also suggests that green tea reduces the risk of oral cancer.
While it may be tempting to add sugar or honey to the tea, try to resist. Sugar and honey are good sources for the bacteria in your mouth to feed on and produce harmful, enamel-destroying acids.
It’s important to know which beverages are best for your dental health so you can incorporate them into your dental routine. Brush twice a day, floss once a day, and visit your dentist every six months.
For more information or to schedule a dental appointment, contact Greenspoint Dental in Houston, Texas. We are dedicated to providing you and your loved ones with the best dental care.