Stay Hydrated This Summer

During the summer, we tend to shy away from hot drinks like tea and coffee and move towards cold drinks to quench our thirst. But did you know however that certain soft drinks can have a detrimental effect on your oral health?

Dehydration is also an increased risk during the summer. To help safeguard your oral health, it’s essential that you remain hydrated during the summer. But how do you know which drinks are safe and which ones might have a negative impact on your oral health?

In this guide, we’re taking a deep dive into the role of hydration in oral health and how you can stay hydrated without risking damage to your teeth.

Oral health and hydration

Saliva is essential for protecting your oral health, and the production of saliva could be impacted if you become dehydrated. Dehydration is a greater risk in the summer due to hot weather. You need to make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

If you become dehydrated, your body might struggle to produce enough saliva to protect your oral health. Saliva is used to soften food and start the digestion process, but it also helps to clear your mouth after eating and to neutralise the acids from your food so they cause less damage to your teeth.

The best thing you can drink in the summer for your oral health and wider health would be water, but sometimes you want something a little more fun and refreshing. Learning how to spot the drinks that could be very bad for your oral health can help to limit potential damage.

Why you should be wary of many summer drinks

Acid erosion is caused when the acids in the food and drink we consume attacks the tooth enamel. Enamel is the hard, protective coating of the tooth, which protects the more sensitive dentine below.

If the enamel is worn away, the dentine can be exposed and this can lead to sensitivity. Once the enamel has been worn away there is no way of regenerating it, it is gone for good.

Acidity is measured by a pH vale and anything with a pH lower than 5.5 is considered acidic and can therefore harm your teeth. Some examples include:

Fizzy drinks, sodas, pops and carbonated drinks

Fruit and fruit juices

Alcopops

Wine

Sports drinks

While these might be worse for your oral health, you don’t have to avoid them entirely. Even those with excellent oral health can find space for a glass or wine or a fizzy drink on occasion.

So, how do you ensure that you stay hydrated this summer without affecting your oral health? Here at Benfleet Dental Centre we have come up with some tips to help ensure you are summer ready.

1. Use a straw

We are not saying you need to give up your favourite fizzy drinks, but why not consider drinking them through a straw? This ensures that less of the liquid comes into contact with your teeth. It is also better to drink the can or bottle in one go rather than sipping it over a prolonged period of time.

2. Limit acidic foods and drinks to mealtimes

Reduce the number of acid attacks your teeth have to contend with by limiting acidic food and drinks to meal times. It takes around an hour for the pH level in your mouth to return to its normal level and if you are constantly grazing on acidic foods or sipping acidic drinks your mouth never gets a chance to recover.

3. Switch to water occasionally

Alternating between fun drinks and water can help to reduce the risk of damage to your teeth. You can also carry a hydration bottle with you throughout the day so that you always have some water to hand.

4. Don’t crunch the ice cubes

If your drink contains ice, try to avoid the temptation to chew on the ice. This might be refreshing, but it can cause damage to your teeth. Ice is as hard as teeth, so it takes a lot of pressure to bite down. Eventually, you might not be so lucky and your tooth could break before the ice does.

5. Wait for at least one hour after eating before brushing your teeth

Every time you eat or drink something acidic, the enamel on your teeth becomes softer for a short period and loses some of its mineral content.

By waiting an hour, you give the enamel a chance to re-harden, reducing the risk of brushing the enamel away. Brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day using a fluoride toothpaste.

6. Pair acidic drinks when tooth-friendly foods

If you are going to enjoy a fruity cocktail or a glass of wine, you can limit some of the damage by pairing this with some tooth-friendly foods. A single piece of cheese with a glass of wine will help to neutralise the acid in your mouth and provide calcium-rich support.

You can also snack on raw veggies like carrots, cucumber, peppers and celery. Chewing on raw vegetables helps to clean the teeth and neutralise acid in the mouth.

7. Visit the dentist for regular appointments

By attending for regular dental appointments, you can ensure that any problems are identified early, reducing the risk of problems in the future. Don’t wait until an issue becomes obvious to visit the dentist. By committing to regular checkups, your dentist can identify and fix small problems before they become much more serious.

Final thoughts on keeping your smile beautiful this summer

Looking for further help and advice to keep your teeth looking their best? Call Benfleet Dental Centre today on 01702 557766 and book a consultation. We can advise you on the best dental treatments to upgrade and enhance your smile.