Most people associate certain foods, such as candy, with tooth decay. But there are many drinks out there that can be just as harmful to your oral health, if not more. It’s important to pay attention to what you’re drinking throughout the day, according to the dental care staff at Schaible Dental Group in St. Peters, MO. They want to share several of the worst drinks for your teeth that typically play into your overall health as well. While these don’t need to be completely cut out of your diet, it’s important to be informed about their effects and regulate your intake as best as you can. 

3 of the Worst Drinks for Your Teeth

1. Soda

Soda, even when it’s diet, contains a massive amount of sugar—often more than sweets and other harmful foods. These fuel bacteria that, in turn, convert the sugar into acid that can be used to wear down enamel. These sugars also cling to your teeth, and when you don’t practice dental care throughout the day, they only become more problematic. Heavy soft-drink intake is a major contributor to tooth decay, so try to reduce or, ideally, eliminate them from your diet.

2. Artificial Juices

Natural juices, in moderation, are usually safe to drink so long as they don’t contain too many acid-heavy citruses. Fruit-flavored drinks, however, are problematic. Like soda, they have large quantities of sugar in them to create the sweet flavors of natural fruits. This can result in the same tooth decay issues as soda. Also, like soda, the high concentrations of sugar are harmful to your general health and can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other health conditions. For safe alternatives, speak with your dentist.

3. Sports Drinks

Like fruit juices, sports drinks may seem like healthy additions to your lifestyle. However, they’re loaded with sugar, as well as acids. When paired together, they can quickly damage your teeth. There are a variety of organic alternatives you can try instead that still accomplish the same replenishing and recovery goals, so speak with your dentist about which are safest.

By making a few dietary changes, you can significantly improve the health of your teeth, and the staff at Schaible Dental Group will help. They offer a variety of dental care services ranging from teeth whitening to general dentistry, and they are committed to ensuring patients maintain healthy care at home. Call (636) 279-1633 today to schedule an appointment, and visit their website and Facebook for more dental care tips.