Are you excited to enjoy the holidays with your family and loved ones? During this month, you’re likely looking forward to munching on your favorite foods and sipping delicious beverages. However, some drinks might not be very friendly toward your smile. Keep reading to learn a few holiday beverages that could negatively impact your oral health and how you can avoid complications.
Wine
Many people enjoy a glass of wine during holiday events, as it often pairs well with certain meals. Still, this beverage can begin to stain your teeth if you drink it too often, especially due to the tannins in red wine. White wine doesn’t have as many tannins, but it’s often more acidic and can increase the risk of enamel erosion over time.
Holiday Punch
While holiday punch isn’t acidic, many recipes involve using highly pigmented berries, including blueberries, cherries, pomegranates, and blackberries. The juices in these ingredients contain chromogens, which can easily lead to dental discoloration. Certain holiday punch recipes even use sugary drinks, like soda, that can result in decay and cavities.
Coffee
Enjoying a warm cup of coffee to wake you up in the mornings might be a favorite tradition of yours. Although there may be some benefits to drinking this beverage, you can also experience downsides to your teeth, such as heavy staining. Without getting rid of the pigments on the top layer of your smile, the discoloration can end up becoming more difficult to remove later on.
Hot Chocolate
Almost everyone loves a good mug of hot cocoa, especially during the holiday season. Unfortunately, this beverage contains chromogens, meaning it can end up discoloring your smile over time. You might also like to add marshmallows, which can simply pack the drink with more sugar and raise your risk of developing cavities and tooth decay.
Even if some of your favorite festive beverages are harmful to the health and appearance of your pearly whites, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to avoid them altogether. Simply make sure to rinse and clean your teeth after enjoying one of these staple drinks. Remember to also practice good oral hygiene every day and visit your dentist for checkups and cleanings, and you should be able to sip on these holiday beverages without worrying much about your smile!
About the Practice
At Distinctive Smiles of Dublin, our team wants to ensure you enjoy exceptional and comfortable dental care. Whether it’s the holidays or the days in between, we offer comprehensive preventive treatment so you can maintain a healthy smile throughout the year and beyond. If you wish to schedule a visit or want to learn more about caring for your teeth, visit our website or give us a call at 614-792-1800.