Feeling the summer heat? Need a little something to rehydrate? What is the best thing to drink for healthy teeth?
Let’s look at what causes unhealthy teeth first.
We’ve heard a lot about sugar in drinks, and the sugar tax. But it’s also important to think about the acid-alkaline balance in what we drink too. For general health, as well as dental health, getting a good pH balance matters.
Walk the pH balance tightrope.
On a scale of 0 – 14, where 0 is battery acid, and 14 is alkaline drain cleaner, the neutral balance that we need to have in our body and mouth is around 7. Up or down a little is fine, but keeping your balance is good.
Q. Why do we use alkaline products to clean drains?
A. Because they kill bacteria.
Q. What happens when you spill battery acid on a surface?
A. It burns into it.
We don’t want to kill everything in our mouth. Nor do we want to burn through the enamel. So it’s all about getting as close to the right balance as possible. And that’s what our saliva does, if we give it the chance.
Which drinks can damage teeth?
Cola, sports drinks, coffee, black tea, citrus fruit juices, and alcohol, for example, lower the pH balance in our mouths, creating a bacteria-friendly environment. Our tough enamel is weakened until our saliva is able to help re-mineralise our teeth.
What’s the best drink for healthy teeth?
It has to be water! Quick, easy, refreshing and kind. It’s the best fix to replenish our bodies most vital component. And it’s gentle on our teeth. Plain old tap water is a great go-to drink. Most municipalities monitor the pH, keeping it just right. And some add fluoride too, although that’s another topic! And the runner-up would be milk.
But how can we celebrate the win we’ll have this afternoon?
If you’re following the England team, there’s a good chance you’ll be celebrating today. Go for something light in colour, avoid adding anything sugary to the mix, don’t chew the ice, and have a glass of water as a chaser!
As with most things, it’s all about getting the right balance. In this case, the right pH balance.
And, if you have been drinking too many mugs of coffee or glasses of red wine:
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