5 Best Drinks for Healthy Teeth

Teeth are one of our most important assets as we continuously require them to relish any sort of food. Even though teeth are one the strongest parts of our body, they are extremely vulnerable to decay and cavities due to near-continuous exposure to different sorts of food. Reactions begin in your mouth the minute you consume certain foods and drinks as the bacteria in your mouth convert carbohydrates and sugars from the foods you eat to acids, which in turn begin to attack the enamel on your teeth, speeding up the decay process. Hence, its very important to be conscious of what you consume and avoid sugary, sticky and acidic foods and drinks in order to maintain good dental health.

So here are the 5 best drinks to consume if you want healthy teeth!

Milk

This drink, which is said to be a balanced diet in itself, is rich in calcium, protein and Vitamin D, which makes it great for the health and strength of your teeth. Being naturally low on sugar and having a pH above 6.5, it acts as a delicious and filling snack without causing tooth decay. Additionally, the probiotic bacteria found in milk benefits your gums by reducing cavity causing bad bacteria and hence strengthens your teeth in the longer run. It also contains a type of protein called caseins, that forms a protective film on the enamel of your teeth to prevent decay. If you dislike the taste and smell of milk, try mixing it with unsweetened dark chocolate to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Water

When it comes to teeth, water is your superhero as it is one of the most important consumables for both our teeth and body. The significance and importance of water are often forgotten. Not only does it rinse away any sticky or unhealthy residual food or sugary drinks that remains on your teeth, but staying well-hydrated increases the flow of protective minerals within the saliva which protects your teeth from cavities and decay. While it cannot replace flossing or brushing, it definitely helps keep your mouth as clean as possible until you have access to a brush and toothpaste. Both tap water and mineral water are good your teeth as the high mineral content in mineral water helps to rebuild the tooth enamel whereas the fluorides in tap water reduce tooth decay and prevent cavities.

Tea

Need your caffeine but don’t want coffee to stain your teeth? Consider trying herbal or green tea to get your caffeine fix. These teas also contain Polyphenols which have been known to reduce bacteria and toxic products of bacteria in the mouth. Further, tea is also rich in fluoride, which is another bonus if you want healthy teeth. Brewed teas are typically out of the danger zone in terms of acidity as they have a pH of above 5.5 and green tea even has positive effects on decay prevention and gum health. However, iced tea causes huge enamel damage as compared to brewed tea as they have very low pH, in the range of 2.5 to 3.5, and are loaded with sugar and additives. When you’re having brewed tea, avoid adding lemon, sugar, honey or any other sweetener as they can cancel out any benefits the tea might have had.

Coffee

It is a commonly known fact that strong coffee can have a negative effect on your teeth and stain them. However, while coffee is slightly acidic with a pH of around 5.0, there is evidence showing that your black coffee might be good for your teeth. A study found that drinking coffee without any additives could help prevent cavities from developing while another study revealed that black coffee could protect your teeth from tooth decay and actually help fight plaque. The catch, however, is that the coffee has to be unsweetened black coffee as iced coffee or coffee consumed with milk and sugar or any sweetener, are still very bad for your teeth.

Red Wine

It is also commonly known that wine, in general, is bad for your waistline and for your teeth. But there is a reason to believe that red wine might not be as bad for your teeth as you might have been told hundreds of times by your dentist. While alcohol, in general, has a negative impact on your teeth, including staining, decay, plague, cavities etc., if you absolutely must go in for a drink, choose a glass of red wine over white wine as it is a lot less acidic than its white counterpart. Further, a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has revealed that a glass of red wine can have a strong antimicrobial effect against cavity-causing bacteria and thus might be healthy and beneficial for your overall dental health.

So these were the 5 best drinks for healthy teeth. Corrective dental procedures and treatments often including EZio needles and dental pliers and drills can be scary for some people, not to mention the severe pain from dental problems like cavities, decay, and sensitivity. So, keeping your sugary drinks in check can help you avoid a lifetime’s worth of hassle and pain that result from common teeth and gum problems. Make the smart choice!

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