Our Orland Park Dentists Review How Various Beverages Affect Oral Health

Written by Dr. Zaibak on Apr 23, 2019

Sometimes dental damage occurs due to some kind of accident or trauma. However, it is actually much more common for oral health problems to develop over time, due to the wear and tear of daily life.

With that in mind, when you’re working to optimize your oral health, you really want to pay attention to what kinds of beverages your consuming on a regular basis. Different drinks can affect your smile in different ways; keep reading to learn more from our Orland Park dentists!

Coffee

Many of us need a little coffee in the morning to pep us up, but the truth is that our daily coffee habit can actually dull our teeth as time goes on. Additionally, coffee is acidic, so it temporarily softens dental enamel. Try not to sip on coffee continuously throughout the day, and make it a point to wait for 20 to 30 minutes after your coffee to brush your teeth.

Tea

Some types of tea, like green tea, can actually help to minimize bacterial build-up in your mouth. On the other hand, black tea contains a lot of tannins, and is therefore prone to staining dental enamel. To keep discoloration to a minimum, try to enjoy your daily tea in time-specific sittings.

Red Wine

Red wine is key cause of dental staining, both in the short and long terms. Additionally, because red wine is acidic, it can leave your enamel susceptible to additional staining. Try to get into the habit of rinsing your smile vigorously with water after enjoying a glass of merlot or cabernet sauvignon.

Soft Drinks

Soft drinks are one of the most harmful drinks you can consume on a regular basis. They are packed with sugars, and they tend to be acidic. The best thing you can do for your smile is to limit soft drinks as much as possible. Beyond that, drink them sparingly, and rinse your smile directly after you’re done.

We hope that this gives you a better idea of how you can later your daily beverage consumption in order to boost your oral health. As always, our Tinley Park dentists are happy to give you any additional information you need!