Summer is Here – Why Limit Happy to an Hour!

It is officially summer time! That means fun in the sun and lots of parties.

What do we usually drink at parties? Soda? Juice? Beer? Liquor? All of the above?

Soda: Sugar in soda combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid, which attacks the teeth. Diet or “sugar-free” soda contains its own acid, which also can damage teeth. Each attack lasts about 30 minutes and starts over with every sip of soda you take.

Juice: Fruits like grapefruits, oranges, and lemons are loaded with acids that wear down tooth enamel. Drinking concentrated fruit juices exposes your teeth to more damaging amounts of acidity than simply eating the fruit would. In fact, research has found that orange juice has the capacity to decrease enamel hardness by 84%. My advice is to eat the whole fruit instead.

Beer: While you might not think of beer as a sweet drink, the beverage has no shortage of sugars. When these sugars mix with the bacteria in your mouth, the mixture forms plaque on your teeth. Bacteria in your mouth can also damage your gums, eventually leading to infections, gum disease, and periodontitis.

Liquor: Drinks high in alcohol, like spirits, can dry out your mouth. Not only does this problem cause bad breath, but it also boosts your chance of cavities. Make sure to drink water and stay hydrated when consuming alcohol, as saliva keeps teeth moist and helps to remove plaque and bacteria from the tooth’s surface.

Alcohol abuse is the second most common risk factor for oral cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Great Choice: The best beverage choices for your teeth include water (especially fluoridated water), milk, and unsweetened tea. Limit your consumption of sugar-containing drinks, including soft drinks, lemonade, and coffee or tea with added sugar. Also, avoid day-long sipping of sugar-containing drinks, which exposes your teeth to constant sugar and, in turn, constant decay-causing acids. The main rule is – everything in moderation!

From all of us at Artful Smiles we wish you all an amazing summer!