Although brushing and flossing twice daily can strengthen your enamel and connective tissues so they can resist dental problems, there’s no guarantee that you’ll never develop cavities or gum disease. This is partly because there are several other factors that can potentially impact your dental health, including your dietary decisions.
For instance, drinking too many sugary liquids can erode your enamel and lead to cavities, injuries, or other issues. Fortunately, there’s a chance that you can improve your dental condition by using a straw instead. Continue reading to learn more about it!
What Causes Cavities?
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in your mouth produce acids that work in tandem with the foods you eat to erode the protective outer layer of your teeth to form cavities in the lower layer of dentin. From there, they can even infiltrate the tender nerves in the roots inside and cause an infection or additional injuries.
Sticking with your twice-daily at-home dental hygiene routine consistently removes germs and plaque buildup to prevent this from happening. However, if you consume too many sugary or acidic beverages, like coffee, soda, or fruit juices, you could still develop cavities.
Can Drinking Through a Straw Improve My Dental Health?
You’re not alone if you’re wondering whether there’s anything you can do to avoid harming your teeth without giving up some of your favorite drinks. This leads many patients to ask whether regularly using a straw might enhance their dental condition.
Thankfully, sipping through a small tube can indeed protect your teeth. Whatever liquid you’re enjoying bypasses your front teeth altogether, to help avoid unwanted built-up residue that can cause problems. You can also protect your back teeth, too, if you position your straw in such a way that the fluid runs down your throat before it can fully fill your mouth.
Are There Any Downsides to Drinking with a Straw?
The flipside of drinking through a straw is that if you don’t position it correctly, you might accidentally send whatever sugary or acidic fluid you’re drinking directly toward your anterior teeth, which can result in excessive decay.
Furthermore, some patients are so convinced that drinking through a straw will safeguard their smile that they feel free to consume as many unhealthy beverages as they please. Unfortunately, even if you do position the tube so that any fluid in your mouth misses your teeth, it still touches your tongue, allowing germs to flourish and eventually contribute to decay and disease.
If you’re unsure whether you’re hurting your dental health with the drinks you choose, you can protect your smile by switching to water. It keeps you hydrated to boost your immune system to fight off gum disease, rinses away germs and leftover food, freshens your breath, and has a neutral pH balance to counter potential acid damage!
About the Practice
At Whitinsville Family Dentistry, you and your loved ones benefit from two dentists dedicated to helping patients build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. Dr. Tubo and Dr. Agnihotri share decades of combined experience and collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services at one convenient location. They customize treatment plans to meet your unique needs, then utilize state-of-the-art equipment to deliver comfortable, long-lasting results. If you’re worried about cavities, you can request an appointment on the website or call (508) 296-8971.