One of the biggest contributors to tooth decay is the choice we make when we pick up something to drink. According to the Centers for Disease Control, almost one-fifth of Americans reach for a sugary soda at least once a day. This seemingly innocuous habit has far-reaching health implications beyond oral health too. In this week's post, we are going to help you think about a few better choices next time you need to quench your thirst. Here are healthier drink choices for your oral health:
Water
Most estimates place the recommended amount of water you should drink daily at about a half gallon to a gallon. The majority of our bodies exist as water, which makes it a vital part of our health. Many people, however, are unaware of the oral health benefits of drinking a lot of water.
Drinking water before, during, and after a meal is smart because it helps clear away food particles on and around your teeth. Think of it as sort of a way to do some brushing in between actually brushing your teeth. Water also helps maintain healthy saliva levels in your mouth, which is one of your best defenses against tooth decay.
Almond Milk
We bet you were expecting to find milk somewhere on our list. Dairy milk definitely helps you build strong, healthy teeth. But not everyone can drink dairy milk so we're going highlight almond milk as a smart choice for your teeth.
One cup of almond milk is about 30% of your daily recommended value for calcium, which is one of the most important building blocks of bones and teeth. One cup also has about one-fourth of your recommended intake of vitamin D, which helps your body absorb and use calcium. It's also rich in fiber (for a drink) and low in calories.
Green Tea
If you drink coffee or soda in the morning to get your caffeine kick, we'd like to offer you another solution. A couple cups of green tea are comparable to a cup of coffee in terms of caffeine, but don't quite have the same staining properties of coffee.
When compared to soda, green tea is a no-brainer. Green tea has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which is good for your gums. Some emerging bodies of research suggest that green tea may help lower the amount of harmful bacteria in your mouth, lower the acidity of saliva, and reduce the damage plaque does to your teeth.
Thanks for Reading!
We hope you mix some of the above beverages into your drink choices and help protect your teeth and gums. If you enjoy our blog posts, please like or share our Facebook page.