Our Orland Park Dentist Shares Info About Popular Beverages And Oral Health

Written by Dr. Zaibak on Feb 25, 2020

One major factor that affects oral health, and that we often overlook, is beverage choice. Think about it: as you sip throughout the day, you are continually coating your smile with a specific liquid. As you’ll soon find out, not all drinks are created equal. Keep reading to learn more from our Orland Park dentists!

The #1 best beverage for your smile is water

If you are ever in doubt about what to drink, you can know that water is a safe bet. Water is not acidic, and it does not contain sugars that can damage enamel, and it prompts saliva production. Plus, drinking water helps to dislodge dental debris and bacteria that has accumulated throughout the day.

Many juices may deliver overall health benefits, but keep in mind that they are generally quite acidic, and thus they temporarily soften enamel. When you indulge in sodas or juices try to do so in short intervals, because your enamel remains softened for about twenty to thirty minutes after acid exposure. We want to minimize the amount of time that your enamel is vulnerable.

The other thing to keep in mind is that many of our favorite drinks can stain dental enamel over time. Sodas, for example, can leave color deposits on the enamel. Additionally, coffee, tea, red wine all cause discoloration.

One thing that you can do to minimize the dental problems caused by beverages is to get into the habit of rinsing your smile vigorously with water directly after indulging in a sweet or acidic beverage. This does two things: it rinses the potentially problematic liquid from your smile, and it simultaneously pumps up saliva production, which further neutralizes bacteria.

If you have any more questions about how you can optimize your daily diet and routine to support your smile, our Tinley Park dentists are here to help you. Just give us a call to get started!