What are The Worst Drinks for Your Teeth?

At Grand Dental Group, our dentists and hygienists know that the drinks that taste the best can sometimes be the worst for your teeth. Let our dental professionals share with you some of the worst drinks you can have:

Energy Drinks

• Energy drinks pose many health concerns, the least of which is the caffeine content and the multitude of unpronounceable ingredients. Dentists know that the “energy” part of energy drinks is often the high sugar content. In addition, these products are also very acidic. Sugars contribute to the formation of acids in the mouth. Acids cause the breakdown of enamel and form cavities. So drinks with high levels of both acid and sugar are a double-whammy against teeth.

Pop and Soda

• Similar to energy drinks, soft drinks contain massive amounts of sugar and are also highly acidic. Many soft drinks have the almost the pH balance as actual battery acid! Popular sodas such as Pepsi, Coke, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, Sprite, Barq’s, etc. contain 9-12 tsp of sugar in every can! Medium and large sized drinks at fast food or sit down restaurants are at least 16-20oz. per refill. The huge consumption of these sodas definitely increases your chance of dental decay.
• Acidic fruit drinks:
• Orange juice, lemonade, and tomato juice are popular and have some overall health benefits. However, the sugar content and acids in these beverages make them risky for your oral health. The limes added to margaritas, or the lemons added to water are also culprits. Dentists know that even “healthy” drinks that contain vitamins and minerals can still wreak havoc in your mouth.

Coffee and tea

• Coffee is acidic and often paired with sugar to make it more palatable. Both the acids and sugars can contribute to cavities in your teeth. The expensive coffee drinks with added syrups and dairy products definitely contain massive amounts of sugar. Tea has been proven to have some anti-cavity benefits in recent years. However, the studies showing this only include plain tea without sugar, honey, or any other sweet additions. Adding sugars in any form to your tea will certainly negate any of the cavity-fighting benefits. For most people, the biggest problem with coffee and tea is the surface staining that it leaves on your teeth. The good news is, this can be removed with good home care and regular dental hygiene check -ups and cleanings.

Alcoholic drinks

• One of the most obvious problems with these beverages is that alcohol is very dehydrating. The mouth becomes dry after consuming alcohol, in any form, and the reduction of saliva is a concern. Saliva is a natural buffer against acids and decay. So, reduced salivary flow can increase the likelihood for cavities. In addition, alcohol contains sugars and many forms of alcohol are paired with surgery drinks. Beer, wine, and hard alcohols all have some sugar content. But when hard alcohols are paired with other ingredients or soda, the effects are compounded. Low carb or beverages with lower alcohol content are the tooth-friendlier choices. Mixes, add-ins, and pop, along with alcohol should be minimized. Red wine has some heart benefits, but can cause surface stains on your teeth.

As with anything, moderation is key. All of these drinks above are usually fine in moderation and on occasion. Anything consumed too frequently or in large quantities can pose a cavity risk for your teeth. If you have concerns about your smile, talk to you dentist today for an evaluation and dietary consultation.

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