Beverages to Avoid this Summer

Summer, hair gets lighter, skin gets darker, water gets warmer, and drinks get colder! It’s that time of year to lay back and sip a cold drink. But now may be a good time to let you know about the drinks you should avoid this summer if you don’t want to ruin your summer with a toothache or worse – bad breath.

First, you should know the two leading causes of tooth decay: sugar and acid. There are certain types of bacteria that use this sugar to make acids. Consequently, the more sugar you consume, the more acids produced. Over time, this results in a cavity forming in your teeth. Further, when you eat or drink something acidic, the enamel in your teeth is temporarily softened. This leads to the development of cavities, leading to tooth decay. These harmful sugars and acids are present in many beverages, and as such, you should minimise consumption of said beverages.

Now that you know how they form let’s find the sources: soda, coffee, tea, alcohol, citric juices as well as sports drinks. Studies have shown a clear correlation between soda consumption and the development of dental caries and enamel erosion. The shocker here is that diet soda is just as corrosive as regular soda. In fact, some studies show that diet sodas contain higher carbonation levels and as such, are more acidic.

Also Read This: Tips for looking after your gums between dentist visits

Coffee has a natural brown colour that can turn your teeth to an ugly yellow by revealing the dentin beneath your enamel. Sugar is also a popular additive to coffee and can increase your chances of developing cavities. Certain types of tea have higher acidic levels and can cause erosion on the tooth surface. Furthermore, darker blends of tea, as well as black tea, can stain your teeth in the same manner as coffee. Still, tea and coffee are not nearly as bad as other acidic substances. Hopefully, with the heat, these should be easier to avoid!

Citrus fruits such as grapefruits, oranges and lemons are loaded with acids that wear down tooth enamel. However, when juices are made from these fruits, the resultant juices contain concentrates of said fruits. These juices contain vitamins and antioxidants which are good for your body. Researchers suggest reducing the exposure to erosion by drinking the juice in one sitting rather than drinking it over the whole day.

Energy drinks and sports drinks may very well be the most harmful to your teeth. A 2008 study published in the journal, Nutrition Research, showed that energy drinks such as Red Bull and Gatorade eroded enamel more than soda or fruit drinks. This is as a result of the high levels of acid contained within the drinks.

Well, there it is; we know summer’s hot, but you’d rather be thirsty than have to make an appointment for an emergency dentist check-up. For more information and all your emergency dental needs, call Dental Avenue Maroubra today on 02 9344 8822.