How drinks affect your smile

There’s a drink for every occasion, time of day – whether it be a morning cup of tea or coffee, a high-energy workout drink, or a glass of wine on a Friday night – the choices of beverage are endless. It important to know how the drinks you chose throughout the day affects your teeth:

Morning coffee

Is ‘but first, coffee’ your life motto? Many of us start each day with a hot cup of steaming Joe and while this wakes you up, the dark drink seeps into your teeth’s enamel and cause discolouration. Have you ever noticed that a coffee addict’s pearly whites, aren’t so white?

Tip: Use a tooth whitening toothpaste to remove those stains and also see our hygienist regularly for a scale and polish.

Workout energy drink

Most popular sports drinks are extremely high in sugar and are also acidic. This combination is not good news for your smile, as it erodes away your tooth enamel and also causes tooth decay, due to the sugar content.

Tip: Try having water during your workouts instead or dilute your sports drink with water for a healthier compromise.

The Lunch-time fizzy drink

It’s no secret that fizzy drinks don’t help your smile. Many carbonated drinks (including carbonated water!) can cause dental erosion and tooth decay, because of the sugar levels and acid contained. This in turn can cause sensitivity, enamel fracture and tooth pain. Some fizzy drinks can contain up to 21 lumps of sugar in just one can!

The good news is that sugar-free fizzy drinks do not lead to tooth decay, although they can, however, still erode your teeth by wearing away the enamel.

Tip: Drink fizzy drinks through a straw, to help minimize the contact with your teeth, as the drink is being drawn to the back of your throat.

The Happy Hour Cocktail

Although red wine is good for the heart, unfortunately it’s your teeth that suffer. Red wine dries out the mouth and makes your teeth sticky, which causes staining.

Like fizzy drinks & sports drinks, alcohol also can cause acid erosion, especially when cocktails are a mixture of fruit juices or fizzy drinks. It is also dehydrating and reduces saliva flow, which usually helps neutralise acids in the mouth.

Don’t worry, we’re not saying to give up these drinks forever, but just to be aware of your consumption of them and to enjoy them in moderation.