Non-Acidic Drinks to Help Avoid Erosion

No matter how old people get, it is possible, through rough brushing, grinding teeth, or consuming too many acidic foods, to wear down the teeth enamel’s so much that the teeth become sensitive and susceptible to serious dental health problems.

For anyone concerned about enamel erosion, especially if their dentist has deemed them to be at risk, one thing that may help is minimizing how much acidic fluids they ingest daily. In fact, deciding to opt for the following drinks instead of more acidic choices like alcohol, coffee, or soda can provide some relief for the teeth’s enamel—not remineralizing it, but not damaging it either, thereby preventing the greater discomfort of cavities in the future.

Milk

While fresh milk is somewhat acidic (a 6.7 pH on a scale where seven is neutral), it's one of the better drinks for strengthening and protecting the teeth's enamel. Milk and other dairy products are great for teeth for several reasons, with the greatest being they’re high in calcium—enamel’s main component.

For those who see early indicators of erosion on their teeth, drinking milk with meals can even help remineralize deteriorated enamel before it’s completely gone. For those who may want to opt for soy milk for reducing erosion, a study in the Journal of Dentistry says soy milk increases plaque bacteria’s acidity within 10 minutes of someone drinking it, so it may be better to use dairy milk or similarly non-acidic drinks.

Water

In addition to milk as a suitable drink for avoiding enamel erosion, water straight from the tap is another option. While it won’t have the benefit of calcium, many public water stores have fluoride in them, which plays a considerable role in strengthening enamel. Also, because it contains no sugar, water does not put people at risk for cavities, making it, as stated by the British Dental Health Foundation, the best drink for teeth.

Tea

Certain teas without any added sugar may also be solid picks for one’s teeth. According to a small study from Japan, men who consumed green tea each day had lower occurrences of gum disease, owing to its antioxidant content.

These positive effects are due specifically to catechin, which is an antioxidant that can treat inflammation caused by bacteria. Additionally, tea is often high in fluoride and polyphenols, noted by the University of Rochester for keeping enamel strong and safeguarded from decay and erosion.

For the future, while it never hurts to include more non-acidic drinks into a diet, occasional cups of coffee or glasses of wine are more than all right and do not need to be cut out entirely. They can always be enjoyed in moderation and alongside meals if possible. Using straws to limit teeth contact and rinsing with water or milk after a meal can also help to keep the teeth’s surface strong and healthy.

If you are worried acidic drinks have eroded your teeth, it may be time to visit the dentist. If you would like to find out how you save as much as 20 percent off that next visit by using our individual discount dental plan in New Hampshire , please click here.

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