According to an AACD survey, virtually all adults (99.7%) surveyed believe a healthy smile is socially important, but it’s medically important as well. While most people are aware of the ways that certain foods affect our dental health, not everyone stops to think about how beverages can do the same. This summer, maintain your healthy smile and be more conscious of your oral health by staying hydrated with the right beverages. Here’s how some of the most popular U.S. beverages affect your teeth.
Energy Drinks
Many people consume sports drinks and/or energy drinks throughout the day to keep their energy levels up. While neither is great for your teeth, energy drinks are definitely worse. As much as sports drinks are harmful to your teeth, researchers found that exposure to energy drinks such as Rockstar, Monster®, and Red Bull® resulted in twice as much enamel loss as exposure to sports drinks such as Powerade®, Gatorade®, and Propel® (3.1% to 1.5%). With that in mind, it’s always best to reach for a rehydrating sports drink instead of an overly sweet energy drink — you’ll feel the difference after a workout, too.
Vodka
Spending for cocktail hours has risen to 76% from 69% in 2010, and vodka is the liquor of choice for many of those who imbibe in the occasional cocktail. And though it may seem like a harmless indulgence, the pH of vodka, combined with the sugary beverages and syrups it’s typically mixed with, can be cause for concern.
“Vodka has a pH around 4, but in some cases can be as high as 8. Less expensive brands of vodka tend to have a lower pH, while premium vodkas tend to have a higher pH. With that in mind, many vodkas are definitely within the range of potential damage,” writes Anna Schaefer on Healthline.
But it doesn’t stop there — alcohol also has a dehydrating effect and can reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth. This leads to increased decay, especially since people tend to sip on their drinks slowly and have more than one, so the alcohol has more time to cause damage.
Milk
Milk is the fourth most consumed beverage in the U.S., behind soda, bottled water, and beer. It should come as no surprise that several components of milk make it an ideal choice to maintain strong and healthy teeth. It has a pH of 6.5, and from its proteins to the calcium and other rich minerals, a tall glass of milk can slow the growth of numerous types of bacteria that forms cavities. Drink up!
Tea
Tea comes in many different varieties, and in order to avoid the ‘danger zone,’ the pH of your tea should be above 5.5. But be wary of iced teas, which are often loaded with artificial sugars and have lower pH levels, typically between 2.5 and 3.5. If you have a choice, try to opt for unsweetened green tea, which may have a positive impact on overall gum health in addition to general decay prevention.
Summer isn’t the only time you should be conscious of what you drink, but experts agree that your dental health is majorly impacted by your daily beverage choices. If you’re concerned that your beverages are causing damage, you can reduce the contact with your teeth by using a straw as you drink — try to grab a reusable one to stay sustainable. On top of that, make sure to visit your dentist twice yearly for your cleanings, if you need dental implants, and follow all other instructions as directed. Happy hydrating!
