Four Trendy Beverages That Spell Trouble for Your Teeth

Toe shoes, Crocs, saggy pants, and mom jeans in the 2000s. Those are some pretty brutal trends that caught on for a while, and Crocs are still going strong.

There have been some trendy beverages in recent years that aren’t as cringe-worthy, but they could make your dentist in Worthington wince at the thought of the damage being done to your oral health. Keep reading to discover four popular trends that are bad for your teeth.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Those who believe in the benefits of apple cider vinegar are known to drink it straight, mix it with water, or just gargle with it. It’s said this vinegar’s benefits can include boosting energy, losing weight, lowering cholesterol, relieving a sore throat, stopping hiccups, or calming an upset stomach.

That all sounds great, but apple cider vinegar increases your chances of enamel erosion and damage to dental work. Its pH level is far below the threshold at which enamel begins to dissolve. If you do use it, rinse your mouth out thoroughly with water immediately afterward and wait a while before brushing your teeth.

Lemon Juice Detox

This product is touted to cleanse the body of toxins and help someone lose 20 pounds in 10 days. Its ingredients are fresh lemon (or lime) juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and water.

The two big problems here are lemon juice and maple syrup – an extremely strong acid and an ingredient loaded with sugar.

Also, the directions say to avoid all solid food for 10 days. That eliminates chewing, but you need saliva production to defend against acid and bacteria. Drinking without eating each day elevates the risk of enamel erosion and gum disease.

Sparkling Water

Reasons people might drink sparkling water include finding an occasional alternative to drinking plain water, as a pivot away from sodas, or just because they like it. It’s better for you than soda, but it’s not without negatives.

Sparkling water usually has citric acid added for flavoring, plus it is acidic on its own. Combine those factors and it enters the same pH range as sports drinks and sodas. If you drink it throughout the day, it weakens your enamel.

If you drink sparkling water, be sure to do so with a meal so your saliva can counteract it.

Kombucha

Here’s a trendy item that’s existed for more than 2,000 years! Health benefits attributed to this fermented tea include weight loss, immune system stimulation, arthritis, cancer prevention, improved digestion, and detoxification.

Sounds fantastic, but it is also high in acidity and sugar. Store-bought kombucha can be heavy in sugar, which leads to cavity-causing bacteria you need to be aware of.

You can make kombucha at home with less sugar. However, it is supposed to be brewed at a pH level of three, which is low enough to weaken tooth enamel. Like sparkling water, it poses less of a threat if consumed with a meal or perhaps you could rinse with water immediately afterward.

Enjoyed occasionally and in the right circumstances, these beverages can be okay to consume. Well, other than the lemon juice detox. Be sure to ask your Worthington dentist if you want to know more about these popular trends that are bad for your teeth.

About the Author

Dr. L.J. Adam earned his dental doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, and he has been working hard for the smiles of Worthington-area patients for more than 15 years. His parents started this practice 40 years ago, and Dr. Adam said the decision to follow in their footsteps was an easy one. He’ll be glad to discuss these and other diet trends and the impact they have on teeth during your next dental cleaning and exam. You can schedule an appointment on his website or by calling (724) 297-3446.