Beverages and Dental Hygiene

There is always something we could be doing better.  Many times our health is actually effected more by daily habits and routines than anything.  I know that in the long run, my diet can have a much greater effect on my health than small things I try to add in once and a while.  One of those areas that really effects your dental health is your diet.  When if comes to your teeth one thing that can have dramatic effects of the long run and short run is what you drink.  Our teeth are amazing, but they can be drastically harmed by what we lather over them day in and day out.  So watching what you drink can be the difference between multiple surgeries in the dentist's office or simply getting a cleaning. 

 

One thing we need to think about is how much water we are drinking.  Water is a great way to stay hydrated.  It helps our own body function naturally and since we are mostly made of it, we definitely need it.  It is suggested that we all drink about 8 glasses of water a day.  This keeps our body well hydrated and it also helps your teeth as well.  Drinking water helps to wash away food particles and things that stick to your teeth.  Those things can cause plaque to build up and eventually tarter will form.  This can be a really bad thing because it starts to erode your teeth.   When this happens not only does it cause lots of pain, but lots of expensive dental work will need to be done to fix it.  The drinking of water is a great way to combat this.  It can help your body produce more saliva and that also helps to wash away the food and particles that are in your mouth causing harm. 

 

So one way to drink more water is to keep a glass, water bottle, or mug nearby.  I like to use a stainless steel container because it is so lightweight.  I am able to fill it and drink out of it without it being a hassle.  Sometimes a heavy glass keeps me from drinking more and when I want to consume more water a lighter option is best for me.

 

There is definitely a few drinks that should be avoided as much as possible.  The idea of drinking an extremely high in sugar drink daily for the rest of your life can be scary.  The sugar helps break down your teeth and can cause lots of damage.  If you are drinking one or in many cases up to several liters of soda a day it is catastrophic for your dental health.  These drinks are not only high in sugar but also very acidic.  It erodes the protections your toothpaste puts on your teeth and then allows the sugar to start eroding your teeth faster.  It is really important to try to limit your sugary beverage intake.  The extra wear on your teeth simply will cause more problems and will be very expensive in the long run.

 

If you are able to drink less of the highly acidic and sugary beverages then you can help extend the life of your teeth.  This means a better smile for longer.  It can also mean fewer trips to the dentist that are emergency based.  This will cost you less money in the long run and help lower the pain you will feel over your lifetime.  So stay safe and drink well!