Summer is over, and fall is fast approaching. That means it’s almost the season for curling up with pumpkin spice lattes, hot chocolate and other warm drinks. However, many people don’t think to ask the question “Are hot drinks bad for my teeth?” until it’s too late. Here are 3 effects that you might not realize those beverages are having on your teeth.
1. Staining
Many hot beverages like coffee and tea are famous for staining your teeth over time. This is due to both the temperature and the color of the liquids; they can easily enter the pores in your tooth’s enamel, and as they cool down, they grab ahold of the surface. The longer these beverages sit on your teeth, the greater chance they have of causing stains; thus, if you keep indulging in extra mugs of hot chocolate during the fall and winter, there’s a good chance that it’ll eventually start to show on your smile.
2. Tooth Decay
Hot chocolate and pumpkin spice lattes both tend to contain sugar; other beverages like coffee and tea might encourage people to add sugar. Because hot drinks that stick to the teeth once they cool, they could also trap the sugar they contain. The bacteria in your mouth can eat this sugar and use it to secrete acid that eats through tooth enamel. The result? Cavities that eventually develop into full-blown infections that, if not treated, might cause you to lose your teeth.
3. Sensitive Teeth
As a side effect of enamel wearing down, your teeth might become far more sensitive than they used to be. This’ll be especially obvious if you continue consuming warm beverages; all of sudden, you may start wincing in pain whenever a hot liquid touches your teeth. (Cold beverages can cause pain as well.) In general, sensitive teeth can be a sign of several different oral health issues, so don’t think you can ignore the problem.
How Can You Prevent These Problems?
The easiest way to avoid these issues, of course, is to avoid hot drinks altogether, but if you don’t want to do that, there are a couple of things you can do to minimize the damage. Always use a straw when drinking a hot beverage (or any kind of beverage besides water) so that less of the liquid actually comes in contact with the teeth. Also, some particles will likely stay in your mouth, but you can wash them away by drinking water.
Talk to your dentist about some of the hot drinks you enjoy and ask about what else you can do to keep your smile safe. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with a treat once in a while just as long as you’re taking the proper precautions; just remember that a little prevention goes a long way!
About the Practice
At Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry, Dr. Steven Crovatto and Dr. Megan Edwards combine their unique strength and passions to complement each other and bring patients in Orange Park high quality dental care they can trust. If you’re concerned about the effects that your favorite drinks are having on your oral health, you can schedule a checkup by visiting their website or calling (904) 272-0800.