Acidic drinks are loved by many but can have damaging effects in your teeth if consumed regularly. A drink’s acidity level is determined by how much acid it contains from citrus or other additives. Enamel is the strong outer layer that protects your teeth. Acidic drinks can wear enamel down, weakening it and causing long-term tooth erosion. It’s essential to care for your teeth because tooth erosion is permanent. Enamel isn’t a living cell and doesn’t naturally repair itself as your skin does. If you don’t take care of your enamel, you may require more advanced dental care like a filling, crown, root canal, or tooth extraction.
Consuming acidic drinks could lead to:
- Tooth pain
- Tooth sensitivity (to hot, cold, and air)
- Discoloration of your teeth
- Increased risk of cavities
There are many drinks that pose a risk to your enamel. Even beverages that offer health benefits like fruit juice can be tough on your teeth. Any flavour or type of drink can be acidic, depending on the ingredients, additives, and formulation. Even sugar-free drinks can be acidic. Carbonation raises every drink’s acidity, so any bubbly beverage is likely to be harmful to your dental health over time.
Some acidic drinks to avoid include:
- Carbonated drinks
- Alcohol, especially wine
- Juice, especially those high in citrus
- Sports drinks
- Soda and soft drinks (even sugar-free types)
- Coffee
- Tea, both hot and cold
If you cannot avoid these drinks we recommend you drink them in moderation and use these helpful tips to protect your teeth:
- Rinse with water to wash away any acids left in your mouth
- Use a straw as they can help acidic drinks go past your teeth and down your throat
- Don’t brush right after drinking. Wait an hourafter consuming an acidic drink before you brush to give your saliva a chance to harden the enamel naturally.
- Consume dairy as it provides a protective film over teeth to prevent cavities
- Chew sugar free gum as it encourages saliva production which removes some of the acids
- Talk to your dentist. When in doubt, consulting with an expert is the safest option. Your dentist can advise dietary choices for your long-term dental health.
These tips prevent some of the damage but there is no way to eliminate the damage entirely which is why restricting your consumption is the best option. If you are worried about damage to your enamel, give our frinedly team a call at Pimpama City Dental Centre 5670 377.