As a Lower Hutt Dentist, we see a lot of teeth that have been damaged due to poor nutrition. And while it’s important to be careful not to consume too many harmful foods, it’s just as important to be conscious of what you’re drinking.
These days many drinks are loaded with sugar, salt and hidden calories that are slowly doing your teeth damage. Some are worse than others, and should only be consumed in small amounts, and always in moderation.
Here are five drinks we recommend you go easy on!
1. Sports drinks
It’s easy to think these sports drinks are not only good for you, but also necessary after exercise, especially when we see regular advertisements of the All Blacks drinking them.
Sports drinks like Powerade and Gatorade are helpful for high-performance athletes, as they replenish electrolyte stores.
The problem is these drinks often have a high sugar content and are consumed when the teeth are at their most vulnerable. During sports the body reduces the amount of saliva in the mouth to concentrate on the rest of the body. Because of this we often see high performance athletes for fillings here in the clinic.
2. Fizzy drinks
Coca-Cola is one of the most popular drinks in the world – and also one of the most dangerous for your teeth.
Most fizzy drinks have extremely high sugar content which softens the protective enamel on your teeth, increasing your risk of cavities.
Apart from the teeth it has also been shown that these fizzy drinks are linked to obesity.
3. Coffee
For most people, coffee is an essential part of their morning routine. While many are aware that too much caffeine can be bad for you, most don’t know that the natural brown colour of coffee can stain your teeth.
Too much coffee can leave brown deposits on the teeth. Also, many people enjoy their coffee with sugar and sweeteners, which can increase your risk of cavities.
4. Tea
If you’re not a fan of coffee, chances are you enjoy a soothing cup of tea in the morning instead. While there are certainly health benefits to drinking tea, such as the antioxidants that improve your body’s defence against oral cancer, the darker blends can stain your teeth, just like coffee.
5. Orange Juice
Believe it or not, orange juice is probably the worst of these drinks for your teeth. The reason is that not only does it have a high sugar content but the citric acid can help to erode the teeth at the same time!
So what is the best way to consume orange juice? In fruit form!
If you have concerns about these drinks we are happy to have a chat about it here at the clinic in Lower Hutt. We can also look at alternatives and ways to prevent these drinks from damaging your teeth.