-1522x417-1920w.png){kind=logo}
The Impact of Sugary Drinks on Teeth
Gerald M • May 29, 2019
Now that the warmer weather is saturating the country, the consumption of sugary drinks is going to escalate considerably. Be it sweet tea or a sports drink or soda pop, people will be tossing them down to quench their thirst and battle the heat. With each sip, though, depending on the type of drink being consumed, you could be doing considerable damage to your teeth.
Sure, it may take some time to come to fruition, but all that sugar will take a toll.
Defining ‘Sugary’ Drinks
It is very important to make note that even some drinks deemed healthy can actually do damage if the proper oral hygiene regimen is not in place. In this particular category, fruit drinks come to mind. Drinks like orange juice, cranberry juice, and smoothies fall into this category. While they may be “healthy” drinks, they also happen to be loaded with sugars.
The Damage
Whenever you toss down one of these sugar-packed drinks, you are unleashing the sugar on your teeth. While you may believe you have swallowed every ounce of the drink, rest assured, remnants of it are left behind on the surface of the tooth. When this happens, the bacteria in your mouth meant to consume the sugar are also doing damage to the surface of the tooth, eating away at the enamel. Eventually, that enamel gets weaker and we see the beginnings of a cavity forming.
Avoiding the Damage of Sugary Drinks
The obvious answer here is to cut out sugary drinks altogether, but that is not realistic, especially for health enthusiasts and athletes. For many people, those sugary drinks are the difference in completing the long run or ride and bonking out. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to minimize the damage done and keep the risk of cavities to a minimum.
Today, there are several options for rinsing your mouth on the go. Listerine is now selling “portable” chews that can be used. When you are really in a crunch, simply take some water and swish it around in your mouth to get as much of the sugar off your teeth and out of your mouth as possible. For athletes, simply carry an extra bottle filled with water and sip that after sipping on your sports drink.
If you have been putting off going to the dentist, now is the time to get your oral health back on track. If you are in need of a L ynnfield NH Dentist, Lynnwood Family Dental is now accepting new patients and we would love to have you join our family! For more information about our dental services or our contact information to make an appointment, please click here .
Lynnwood Family Dental explains the 2-2-2 Rule: brush twice daily, for two minutes each time, and visit our Lynnfield MA office twice a year for a healthier smile.
Explore the mouth-body connection and how your oral health directly impacts your heart. Lynnwood Family Dental in Lynnfield MA explains the research and what it means for you.
Discover smile makeover tips just in time for Valentine's Day. From teeth whitening to cosmetic dentistry, Lynnwood Family Dental in Lynnfield MA helps you look your best.
Lynnfield parents: Make this Children's Dental Health Month count with expert pediatric dental tips from Lynnwood Family Dental on the North Shore.
Master your dental insurance and maximize your benefits with expert guidance from Lynnwood Family Dental in Lynnfield MA. Learn coverage strategies, avoid common mistakes, and get the most value from your plan.
Looking for a dentist in Lynnfield, MA? Start 2026 with confidence! Discover why January is the perfect time to visit Lynnwood Family Dental and learn essential dental resolutions that will transform your smile this year.
Learn how to select the perfect toothbrush for every family member. Expert guidance on bristle types, manual vs electric options, sizing, and replacement schedules for optimal oral health.
Summer is finally here, and many people are finally going on their long-awaited vacations. Of course, nobody wants to have an issue with their teeth when they are away from home but being prepared for this type of issue can help you deal with it faster and get back to your vacation. Here are a few tips on how to handle a dental issue while you are on vacation. They always say that the best defense is a good offense. Make sure that you are up to date on your dental checkups before you leave on vacation. This will help you identify any small issues with your teeth that have the potential to turn into major problems while you are away. Not only will you have more peace of mind, but your dentist will have updated records just in case you do run into trouble. Of course, emergencies sometimes occur, even when you have taken all the right steps to prevent them. Keep contact information for your dentist with your travel documents and make sure that you have the office number in your phone. In many cases, your dentist will be able to help you solve your dental problem over the phone and help you get comfortable until you can come home and have an appointment. If you are out of the country, getting the dental care you need may be a bit more complicated, but it is still possible. Contact the US embassy to find a dentist who was trained in the United State. Cruise ships and resort hotels often have a list of providers for emergency dental services. Ask the concierge to help you set up an emergency appointment. When you are out of the country visiting friends or family, go with their best recommendation for dental care. In the hustle and bustle of preparing for a vacation, we often forget something as simple as packing a toothbrush. If you are stuck without a toothbrush and nowhere to get one, you can still take simple steps to clean your teeth. Rinse thoroughly with water to remove bacteria and sugars from the surface of your teeth. You can also put toothpaste on a washcloth until you are able to locate a proper toothbrush. When you do track one down, an ADA approved toothbrush is best but, if that isn’t possible, try to find one with soft bristles. Most of your favorite toothbrush brands can be purchased in any area of the world. Make sure that when you do pack your toothbrush, you do it with care. When we are at home, our toothbrushes have a chance to dry out. Bacteria won’t grow in a dry environment because it needs moisture to live. However, if you brush your teeth right before you leave, you might not have time to let it dry before you need to pack it. In this case, put your toothbrush in a clean plastic bag and keep it away from other items in your suitcase. As soon as possible, take your toothbrush out so that it can dry completely. Sugarless gum is one of the most important things you can keep on you for your dental health while you are traveling. For one thing, it will offer much-needed relief if you experience ear pressure during a plane takeoff or landing. However, sugarless gum can also help reduce your risk of cavities. If you are indulging in a lot of sweet treats during your vacation, chew a piece of sugarless gum afterward to protect your teeth. If you have a crown or bridge in your mouth that becomes loose during vacation, you can use sugar-free gum as a temporary hold until you can get to a dentist. It can also help as a temporary solution for tooth sensitivity when you’re on the road. Remember that not all areas where you travel will have water that is ideal for brushing your teeth. If you aren’t sure, pour bottled water onto your toothbrush instead. You do not want to have your vacation ruined by an illness as a result of ingesting contaminated local water. After your vacation, get right back to your normal oral hygiene routine. Spend some extra time brushing and flossing to make up for any lapses during your trip. Get back to healthy eating habits. There is no problem with indulging on vacation if you can get back to your normal habits when you get home. Looking for a Lynnfield, MA dentist ? Lynnwood Family Dental is now accepting new patients. For more information about our services or to request an appointment, click here .
We all know how expensive raising a family can be in today’s world. When you start adding dental bills into the mix, the costs can really start to get out of hand. Unfortunately for most parents, it is a do as I say world, but that is not how children work. They are like sponges and watch every move we make. More importantly to realize is the fact because parents are literally their world, they try to emulate everything mom and dad do as well. Keep that in mind when it comes to your oral health regimen because you need to set the example for your children and show them how to properly care for their teeth the moment they understand tasks like brushing and rinsing. Here are some tips to help ensure you keep your child’s dental health in check and maybe yours as well: Don’t Miss Dental Appointments – this is literally the most basic of oral hygiene regimens. You simply cannot afford to miss a dental appointment because what often happens is you start to become afraid to go for fear of what you may find out. Keep the appointment, period. Sweets Between Meals – ideally, you avoid sweets. But, let’s face facts, we like them just as much as our children do. When picking snacks for the children, try to pick snacks that are healthy and hand them a bottle of water with the snack. Instead of candy, try some frozen grapes or blueberries. Make a game of swishing water around in the mouth after they are done eating to reduce the residue on their teeth. That will suffice until you can get them home to brush. Drinks Before and After Bed – if you are like me, you tend to take a drink to bed with you. For many parents, this often means some type of fruit juice in a sippy cup for the children, which is a big mistake. All the sugar in the drink will be sitting in their mouth all night long eroding away at the tooth enamel. The nighttime drink should be water, period. Brushing Before Bed – getting kids to brush their teeth before bed can be a nightmare, but it is a must to ensure good oral health. Today, there are numerous children-themed toothpastes as well as cool toothbrushes that can be used to make it fun. Put an egg timer on the sink and if they brush for the entire two minutes, give them a reward. You have to make them want to brush their teeth because this is a habit that will last them a lifetime. Do you need to make a dental appointment for your children? If you are looking for a Lynnwood NH, dentist , Lynnwood Family Dental is accepting new patients. For more information about our services or to request an appointment, please click here .
If you make regular dental visits, you may sometimes notice your teeth are a bit more sensitive after getting treatment. These sensations usually fade over time, however, there are times when that sensitivity continues without abating. Today, we are going to look at how and why this happens as well as what you can do to address it. Deep Cleaning Will Impact Sensitivity For most people, the bi-annual visit to the dentist means the removal of bacteria under the guns and tartar that has calcified on and between the teeth. The dentist or oral hygienist will use a regular pick as well as a small water pressure tool to remove this. For more severe cases, a root planing is done, usually in quadrants (generally, you are also given a local to numb the area being cleaned). When this is done, is it not uncommon to experience sore gums, bleeding gums, and extra-sensitive teeth, especially after a planing is conducted. One of the reasons the teeth will often feel a bit more sensitive is because the plaque has been removed from the surface. These parts of the tooth are once again exposed to the elements. In a normal situation, the extra sensitivity should start to subside in a day or so, and everything should be normal within a few days, a week at the longest. As you brush your teeth, carefully, throughout the week, this will actually help the situation along. In the meantime, avoid eating excessively cold or hot food. When possible, use a straw to drink your liquids to avoid direct contact with the teeth. If the problem persists, however, you should contact your dentist to alert him or her of the situation. Taking Care of Teeth After a Deep Cleaning It is important to understand that even though you may be experiencing some extra sensitivity from your teeth and gums, you still need to maintain a regular oral health regimen, however, there will be some moderate changes in the usual activity. For instance, you should avoid flossing for a day or so to allow the gums to recover. If, however, you have a water flosser, you can reduce the setting and use it to massage the gums and remove loose particles from between the teeth. When brushing your teeth, be sure to use a tooth brush with soft bristles so as not to aggravate the situation further. As mentioned above, avoid liquids of extreme temperature and use a straw to drink when possible. Are you in need of a dental cleaning? If you are looking for a Lynnwood NH, Dentists , Lynnwood Family Dental is accepting new patients. To learn more about our service or to schedule an appointment, please click here .
