Beverages are a crucial part of any good holiday party, but some seasonal favorites can cause a host of oral health problems if you don’t take the proper precautions. Luckily, it’s easy to keep your teeth healthy if you enjoy these drinks in moderation while employing a few simple measures to protect your smile. Here’s a quick look at three popular holiday beverages, how they can harm your teeth, and how you can keep your grin healthy.
Coffee
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages on the planet, and it can be hard to pass up when it’s cold outside during the holiday season. Unfortunately, the pigments and tannins that give coffee its bold color can become stuck in your enamel, which causes unsightly yellowish or brownish dental stains. To make the problem even worse, coffee contains acid that can weaken your enamel and caffeine that has a dehydrating effect. Dehydration will leave your mouth with inadequate saliva flow, which makes it harder to keep your teeth clean.
Red Wine
People have drunk red wine during celebrations for thousands of years because of its lovely color and rich taste, and this beverage pairs amazingly well with beef or lamb. However, red wine is also quite acidic, and the acids that give it its distinctive biting taste can erode your enamel, which makes your teeth more vulnerable to stains. Alcohol also dehydrates the body, which can inhibit healthy saliva flow.
Eggnog
Eggnog is perhaps the quintessential holiday beverage, but this drink is heavy with sugar that can feed harmful oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. The alcohol it contains can also dehydrate the body and inhibit the saliva flow the mouth uses to keep these germs in check.
How Can I Enjoy These Beverages with Minimal Risk?
Luckily, there are a few simple ways to mitigate the risks these festive drinks present. Keep the following tips in mind:
- Drink plenty of water when indulging in coffee or alcoholic beverages.
- Practice excellent oral hygiene every day by brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash.
- Drink sweet, acidic, or richly colored beverages through a straw to minimize how much liquid makes contact with your teeth.
- Snack on raw fruits and veggies while indulging on these beverages. Apples, carrots, and celery are firm enough to rub harmful substances away from your teeth and gentle enough to be harmless to your enamel.
Don’t let your holiday celebration set you up for painful dental emergencies. You can learn many excellent ways to keep your teeth healthy by consulting with your dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Jay Oza earned his dental degree at New York University and frequently develops his skills further with continuing education coursework. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, and the Fort Worth Dental Society. His office in Midlothian offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To schedule your next dental checkup, contact his office online or dial (682) 772-3072.