There are numerous ways to improve your smile in addition to your regular visits to the St. Clair Shores Dentist, and the routine brushing and flossing. What you drink can impact your oral health, so it is important to know which beverages are helpful and which are harmful. The following are beverages that would be helpful in strengthening your smile and maintaining good oral health.
Water
Water is very beneficial to your gum and tooth health. Your St Clair Shores MI dentist recommends mainly drinking water, as it can serve as a rinsing agent to clear your mouth of debris left behind from food you have consumed. Also, fluoride in water can help to strengthen your tooth enamel, preventing tooth decay.
Dairy
Dairy products, such as milk, can help strengthen your teeth. Milk provides calcium and phosphates, which strengthen your teeth and help your smile to stay bright. If you decide to drink enriched milk, it can also serve as a source for Vitamin D, helping your body to use the calcium.
Unsweetened Tea
Unsweetened tea can be helpful to your teeth because green and black teas contain polyphenols. These interact with plaque-causing bacteria to combat cavities and decay. Tea can also prevent bacteria from growing and spreading in your mouth, helping your smile to stay healthy.
Conversely, there are some beverages that can be harmful to your oral health. In order to keep your mouth healthy, your Dentist in St. Clair Shores recommends avoiding the following drinks.
Acidic Beverages
Citrus drinks, such as orange juice, contain acids that can wear on your teeth. If you choose to consume acidic drinks, your Dentist in St. Clair Shores MI recommends rinsing with fluoride after drinking to help prevent tooth decay.
Coffee
Drinking coffee can stain your teeth and dim your smile. In addition, added sugar can linger and produce bacteria that can turn to plaque. If you can, try to avoid coffee. Otherwise, your St. Clair Shores Dentist recommends rinsing after consuming coffee.
If you choose to consume beverages that can be harmful to your teeth, you can still combat these choices. For example, chewing sugar free gum can help to clear away harmful bacteria, preventing tooth staining and decay. Additionally, rinsing with mouth wash can also help to kill germs. However, these are supplements, not substitutes, to your regular oral hygiene regime. You should still continue to brush and floss daily, and you should be visiting your St Clair Shores MI Dentist to help you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.
