In fact, tooth enamel is porous, which means it can be affected by the things that we eat or
drink. It’s especially susceptible to damage when proper oral hygiene isn’t being practiced,
which can lead to erosion of the tooth enamel.

Which beverages can erode enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity and decay?

Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most damaging beverages for your smile. Not only is it corrosive, but it can
stain teeth if you’re a red wine drinker. Alcohol can quickly work to erode tooth enamel if you
don’t rinse your mouth with water. Going to sleep after a night of drinking without brushing
your teeth is the worst! If you drink alcohol, sip with water and be sure to limit your
consumption as much as possible. Alcohol is also a risk factor for oral cancer!

Soda

Soda’s sugar content makes it a huge culprit when it comes to eating away at tooth decay.
Unfortunately, diet sodas aren’t much better—their artificial sweeteners tend to be very acidic
too, which can also damage tooth enamel. Soda is not a safe beverage choice for your smile and
is best avoided or enjoyed in moderation at most. Instead, enjoy seltzer water, which is easier
on your enamel and bonus: it has less calories!

Fruit Juice

Fruit juice might seem like the healthier choice compared to alcohol or soda. However, this
simply isn’t true. Fruit juice—especially those made from citrus fruits—can result in just as
much enamel damage as soda or alcohol. These types of juices include orange juice, lemonade,
grapefruit juice, and even cranberry juice. Juice should also be enjoyed in moderation followed
by water, and children shouldn’t have juice as their main source of fluid intake.

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks provide double trouble for those seeking a boost. They not only contain caffeine,
which tends to be acidic on teeth, but also sugar. Don’t forget that artificial sweeteners can be
just as damaging. Some research shows that energy drinks are actually worse for your teeth
than soda! Instead, make your own energy drink with water, a pinch of sea salt, and some fresh
fruit, or enjoy coconut water instead.

Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are another tooth enamel nightmare. They often contain acidic dyes and sugar,
making them not too different from soda. Sports drinks are marketed as being healthier and
safer than soda, although research is lacking to prove this is true. When it comes to your tooth
enamel, water still remains your safest bet. Skip the sports drinks to help your teeth!

Our mouths are hugely affected by the foods and drinks we choose to consume. You can
choose to skip the above drinks to help protect your tooth enamel. Through making healthier
beverage choices and keeping up with your oral hygiene, you can be sure to have healthy tooth
enamel and reduce your risk of cavities and sensitive teeth!

The post Which Beverages Erode Tooth Enamel? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

At first glance, sports drinks might seem like a good replacement for soda, but this is one alternative you should skip. Sports drinks frequently feature high fructose corn syrup, dyes, and salt as their ingredients. The sugar content in these “healthy” drinks is virtually no different than that of conventional sodas—a can of Coca-Cola has 39 grams of sugar, while Gatorade has 34 grams. Not looking so healthy, now are they?

Grab: Seltzer Water

Seltzer water is just carbonated water, so if you love those bubbly drinks, reach for this instead of soda. Some seltzer waters come flavored with fruit juices, like lemon, lime, or even pomegranate and tangerine. Although there is some fruit flavoring in these, the content is much healthier than soda—zero grams of sugar. Seltzer water is a healthy alternative to soda, so grab!

Avoid: Juices

Juices tend to be marketed as healthier than soda, but the truth is that they compete in the sugar world just like sports drinks! Fruits are healthy, fruit juice is not—with none of the fiber to help your body digest it, the sugar in these drinks ends up spiking your blood sugar. Avoid these as much as you can, or mix with seltzer water to cut down on consumption.

Grab: Kombucha

Kombucha is a type of fermented tea that’s loaded with healthy enzymes, probiotics, and comes in great flavors with just a little fruit puree added. With supermarkets carrying many different types of kombucha these days, you should grab this healthy beverage. It’s carbonated just like soda, and your kids likely won’t miss the sugar. Give it a try!

Avoid: Energy Drinks

Energy drinks have loads of sugar and caffeine. Not only are these drinks unhealthy, they can be dangerous as they speed up heart rate. These drinks tend to be popular with teens, but you’ll want to pass these by at the store. They’re not worth the “energy” they deliver, and the sugar and acidity of these drinks is terrible for your teeth.

Grab: Tea

You’ll need to read the labels when grabbing bottled tea at your supermarket, as many of them sneak sugar in there. Buy some unsweetened tea and let your kids flavor with lemon or raspberries at home. Or, introduce your family to flavored hot teas, which can be beneficial and healthful for your body and mind. Strawberry green tea, for instance, tastes fantastic and is shown to increase concentration and memory. Who wouldn’t want that in the afternoon?

These days, you have many options when it comes to choosing alternatives for soda. Forgo the sports drinks, energy drinks, and juice in favor of seltzer water, kombucha, and tea. These positive changes can ensure healthy teeth for you and your family, not to mention healthy bodies!

The post Soda Replacements: Which to Grab and Which to Avoid appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.