Between your routine dental cleanings and exams with your Crofton, MD dentist, we want to give you the resources to maintain your best smile. That means talking about some of the threats you might face throughout your daily life, especially as it relates to specific seasons.

During the hot summer months, for example, we all do what we can to stay cool. That will mean quenching your thirst to stay hydrated. 

But there’s a right way and a wrong way to do that, particularly if you want to keep your teeth, gums, and body as healthy as possible. Today, we want to tell you about the best beverage for your oral and overall health and one that you should stay away from as much as you can.

Stay Cool, But Not With Soda!

You already know that soft drinks are loaded with sugar, and that’s bad for your teeth. 

But we tend to forgive everything else about soda that hurts your teeth if we reach for a sugar-free diet soft drink. 

To stay cool this summer without causing problems for your oral health, it’s best to skip both regular and diet sodas. 

It’s not just sugar in soft drinks you should be concerned about. It’s actually the acids! Many of them contain citric and phosphoric acids in super-high concentrations to produce that bubbly carbonation we love about them. Because we’re not talking about the naturally occurring levels of these acids in foods, sodas have a lot more power to erode your tooth enamel. 

While you might enjoy the flavor of acidic sodas, each one you consume weakens your tooth enamel, leaving it vulnerable to the bacteria that causes decay and cavities. Specifically, phosphoric acid will impair your body’s ability to absorb the very calcium you need to maintain strong, healthy teeth. 

Water Is The Clear Choice!

Not only does your body need a lot of water for proper hydration, but you need even more during the hot summer months to make up what’s lost when you sweat. 

Water is also essential to a healthy mouth. Your teeth and gums need the bacteria-fighting protection of your saliva, and dry mouth caused from dehydration interrupts that natural process. Drinking water also helps to rid your mouth of food particles and debris all throughout the day so anything you eat can be washed away even between your daily brushing routine.

Call Today For Your Next Appointment!

If it’s time for your next cleaning, or if you’ve been experiencing unpleasant stickiness caused by dry mouth, visit Dr. Crofton! We can make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and protected against dehydration and other seasonal threats to your smile!

Call Owens Dental of Crofton in Crofton, MD at 301-261-3800 or schedule online.