There are a number of ways to improve your smile in addition to your regular visits to the South Side Chicago Dentist, brushing and flossing. What you drink can have an impact on your oral health, so it is important to know which beverages are helpful and which are harmful. The following are beverages that are be helpful in strengthening your smile and maintaining good oral health.
Water
Drinking water is very beneficial to your gum and tooth health. Your South Side Chicago IL 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. Additionally, fluoride in water can help to strengthen your tooth enamel, preventing tooth decay.
Dairy
Dairy products, such as milk, can help your teeth stay strong. Milk provides calcium and phosphates, which strengthen your teeth and help your smile to stay bright. If you opt for 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 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 South Side Chicago 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 South Side Chicago IL 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. Try to avoid coffee if you can. Otherwise, your South Side Chicago 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 South Side Chicago IL Dentist to help you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.
