Good dental care is important for your overall health and what you drink can have a serious impact on your teeth.
There are many beverages that are known for causing tooth decay and stripping your teeth of protective enamel.
Here are some beverages that you should avoid, or in some cases eliminate all together.
Sodas Soda damages our teeth because of the high concentrations of sugar and acid.
Even with diet soda, the acidic content remains high even though the amount of sugar has been reduced.
Some sodas have as much as 13 teaspoons of sugar in one 12 ounce can.
Imagine measuring out 13 teaspoons of sugar and either eating it or serving it to family and friends; doesn't sound too pleasant, right? However, it is not uncommon for a person to drink several sodas a day.
Next time you pick up a can of your favorite soda look a the nutritioninformation to see how many grams of sugar the can contains.
One teaspoon equals close to 5 grams (4.
762).
You may be shocked by how much sugar you are drinking.
Many sodas are also high in acid and this erodes your tooth enamel.
High acidity combined with a lot of sugar can be very destructive.
Energy Drinks Keeping up with the pace of your everyday life can be tiring and often we feel we lack the energy to get through the day.
It has become increasingly popular to grab an energy drink for a boost.
Many energy drinks are loaded with sugar and are also high in acid.
Your favorite energy drink may contain up to 12 teaspoons of sugar.
Findings suggest that overuse of energy drinks can cause serious health problems and dentists are recommending that you stay away from these products as they can damage your teeth and have an adverse effect on your dental health.
Sports Drinks You've been working out and its time to replace electrolytes so you grab a sports drink.
Some sports drinks have a high sugar content.
Its best to stick with the drinks with lower sugar levels.
Sports drinks can also be quite acidic.
Carefully read the nutrition labels on your favorite sports drinks.
You don't want to work on keeping your self healthy and then have your drink choice undermine your goals.
Citrus Drinks Drinks that contain citrus can wear away the enamel on your teeth.
Lemonade is a leading culprit and other juices can also lead to damage.
Say no to that lemon slice served with your water.
It's important to note that citrus juices do provide nutritional value and should not be completely avoided, but they should be limited.
Coffee and Tea Coffee and tea can leave stains on your teeth, which can become unsightly and cause bacteria build up.
Also, adding sugar or lemon also encourages decay and erosion.
Alcoholic Beverages Many alcoholic drinks contain juices or mixers with high sugar content.
A good example of a sugary mixer would be the base for a strawberry daiquiri and many liqueurs.
Also, anything made with sour mix, such as margaritas, is going to be sugary and acidic.
Even tonic water has high sugar and acid content.
Be careful when choosing your beverages throughout the day if you wish to avoid damage to your teeth down the road.
When you do drink a beverage that is sugary and/or high in acid wait 20 to 30 minutes after drinking and thoroughly brush your teeth or at the very least swish water around your mouth for several seconds.
Right after drinking an acidic beverage the enamel on your teeth will soften slightly and brushing immediately can wear away some of the enamel so wait to brush.
Your dentist can give you more information and dental care tips that will help you avoid the damaging effects of sugary beverages.