At Katz Family Dentistry of Webster, NY, the caring team of professionals wants to make sure patients know about all the ways they can keep their teeth healthy. Good oral hygiene habits such as brushing, flossing, and regular teeth cleanings are important, but they’re only part of the equation. As family dentist Dr. Jeffrey R. Katz explains here, avoiding certain beverages, or drinking them only in moderation, can also help promote healthy teeth.

Here are a few drinks to consider avoiding whenever possible:

• Energy Drinks & Sports Beverages: Most energy drinks are loaded with sugar, which targets tooth enamel and weakens your teeth. Patients are often surprised to find that sports drinks are also high in sugar content, so be mindful of these as well. If you’re an athlete, consider swapping out your sports beverages for water.

• Tea & Coffee: While these acidic drinks won’t necessarily cause an extra visit to the family dentist, they can contribute to unsightly stains on your teeth. If you prefer to keep your teeth bright, white, and healthy-looking, you may want to sip these drinks through a straw or avoid them altogether.
• Soda: Just like energy and sports drinks, soda has unhealthy amounts of sugar. When that sugar is combined with soda's high levels of acidity, it’s a double offender in terms of causing damage to your enamel.

While moderation is important in any diet, there are plenty of healthy drink options available today that are low in sugar and won’t damage or stain your teeth. If you have any dental issues as a result of drinking the beverages below, including a need for teeth whitening or other cosmetic dentistry, call Rochester’s premier family dentist office at (585) 671-2340 to set up an appointment. You can also visit the Katz Family Dentistry website for a complete list of services.