How often do you enjoy soft drinks with meals? Do you turn to these beverages when thirsty, or when you hope to cool down on a warm day? While they may offer a refreshing taste, they can cause trouble for your smile, particularly if you drink them regularly. When it comes to foods and drinks that pose risks for your oral health, soft drinks stand out for several reasons. Their color can cause teeth stains, their high sugar content can lead to cavities, and their acidity can actually weaken your enamel. Cutting back on them, and drinking more water instead, can provide big advantages. Our Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office can offer further guidance to help you avoid problems that the wrong diet choices can cause, and we can offer additional tips to help you create a more effective oral hygiene routine.
Soft Drinks Can Raise Your Risk For Teeth Stains And Cavities
Flavored beverages, particularly those that are high in sugar, pose problems for our teeth. Colas put you at risk for several issues. Beverages with darker colors can leave particles on your enamel that change the color of your teeth over time. When you have more sugar in your diet, you can find it more difficult to prevent the formation of cavities. Even diet sodas put you at greater risk for problems, as their acidity can soften your enamel, which can make it harder to avoid both dental decay and teeth stains.
Choosing Water Over Flavored Beverages
By choosing water over different flavored beverages, you can protect yourself in several important ways. As a substitute for less healthy drinks, water reduces your exposure to products that can make restorative dental work necessary. Water also helps you remain hydrated, which makes it easier for you to naturally resist cavities over time. Having water during meals lets you more effectively wash away food particles that could stick to your enamel. Begin hydrated makes it easier for you to produce saliva, which plays a natural role in protecting your teeth.
Other Daily Behaviors That Protect Your Smile
Good habits that you practice throughout the day will help you prevent difficulties with your oral health. One thing to remember is that the better you are at avoiding sugar, the easier it will be to prevent the formation of dental decay. Even if you do this, and you make other diet choices that protect your smile, you should have a good hygiene routine in place. Brushing and flossing should take place each day, and you should take care to clean your teeth thoroughly to prevent issues.
Your Prairie Village, KS Dentist Can Help You Protect Your Teeth
With the right daily habits and consistent trips to your dentist’s office, you can effectively protect yourself against oral health threats. To find out how we can help you maintain a healthy smile, call our Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office at 913-901-8585.
