It is commonly believed that whether or not you drink through a straw boils down to personal preference. Some people love straws because they are fashionable and fun. Others like to sip their beverages directly. But did you know that if you drink through a straw, you can actually protect your teeth? This blog post explains how that is true.
How Beverages Affect Your Teeth
Some beverages, such as plain water and milk, are fairly harmless when they directly contact your teeth. Other items, though, may contribute to oral health problems.
For example, many drinks, including soda and sports beverages, contain high amounts of acid and sugar. Acid can erode tooth enamel, and sugar is a major factor in the development of tooth decay.
Even if a drink is not particularly acidic or sweet, it might still cause problems. Things like coffee and tea contain dark pigments that could discolor your tooth enamel.
How to Minimize the Damage
The ideal way to protect your teeth against damage from certain beverages is to avoid such beverages altogether. However, for many people, it simply is not realistic to expect them to give up their daily cup of coffee or completely abandon their favorite soft drink. When you choose to indulge in beverages that might hurt your teeth, you can minimize the potential for damage by consuming them through a straw.
A straw reduces the level of contact between your teeth and the liquids you consume. Therefore, it can serve as a mild protection against the sugar, acid, and pigments in various beverages.
Tips for Drinking Through a Straw
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as you strive to incorporate straw usage into your routine:
- Try not to use disposable plastic straws. Plastic straws have come under some scrutiny for their environmental impact. Switching to a reusable straw is an ecologically smart move. You can even buy one with a carrying case that you can take with you when you visit restaurants.
- Finish your beverage quickly. The longer you take to consume a beverage, the longer your teeth are exposed to harmful acids. You do not have to chug your drinks, but you should not take a large amount of time to finish them.
- Do not always use a straw. Straws are beneficial, but you should never use one while you are recovering from a major dental procedure, such as a tooth extraction. The suction created by the straw could contribute to painful complications.
Do you want to protect your smile? Use straws more often may help you to enjoy healthy, attractive teeth!
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group has provided top-quality oral care for decades. If you are looking for advice on how to prevent damage to your teeth, we would love to speak with you. Reach out to our Hamden location at 203-587-7327.