Caring for an Elderly Parent With Special Dental Needs

Beverages That Cause Oral Health Problems

16 October 2019

Joe Lawrence

Your diet plays a significant role in your oral health. Many people realize that sweets and candies contribute to the development of dental cavities. However, some people pay little attention to the beverages that they consume.

Here are several types of beverages that may cause problems with your dental health.

Fruit Juices

Fruit juices may contain a large amount of natural sugar. Additionally, they are often acidic. 

The natural sugars in the juices produce a sweet taste, but they also supply food to oral microbes that produce decay-causing acids. The bacteria that live in the oral cavity feed on simple sugars, such as fructose. As they digest their food, waste products are released. These digestive byproducts include acid that demineralizes the tooth enamel to promote the development of cavities.

In addition to the bacterial acids that fruit juices promote, the acidity of the juice is also detrimental to the teeth. These fruit-based acids also contain demineralizing properties, especially in an undiluted state.

If you choose to drink fruit juices for their nutritional value, be sure to rinse your mouth with water immediately after drinking. The water can help remove any remaining residue of the juice from the teeth. In addition, the water helps to dilute the acids in the juice.

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic beverages can also be problematic for your oral health. The alcohol can dehydrate the mouth. With too little saliva to wash away oral bacteria and dilute acids, cavities and gum disease are more likely to develop. The alcohol can further exacerbate the condition of the gums by inflaming the gingival tissues. 

The dry mouth caused by alcohol can also lead to bad breath. The overgrowth of bacteria that may occur from dry mouth includes an increase in the number of anaerobic microbes on the tongue. These bacteria release smelly, sulfur-containing compounds that give the breath a foul odor.

If you drink alcoholic beverages, it is best to look for beverages with minimal alcoholic content. The greater the amount of alcohol in the drink, the more detrimental the drink is to the oral health.

Coffees

Coffee can also lead to oral health problems. Coffee-based beverages are often heavily sweetened with sugar that can incite tooth decay. In addition, the regular consumption of coffee may lead to dental discoloration. The brown pigments in the coffee can accumulate in the pores of the teeth, causing chronic stains.

To learn more about the effects of various beverages on your oral health, schedule a consultation with a dentist's office (such as Desert Dental: Ruintan Kamran D.M.D.) in your local area.

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