We love these popular insulated tumblers! They keep coffee piping hot, and the ice in a cold drink doesn’t melt for hours. That’s a great thing for enjoying the beverage you love at the right temperature. But it could be a bad thing for your teeth!
How is an Insulated Tumbler Bad for Teeth?
Well, technically it isn’t the Yeti or other insulated tumbler itself that is bad for your teeth. It is the beverage it contains that could hurt them. It is safe to assume that many people do not use their insulated cups for plain old water.
Unfortunately, if it does not contain water, then it could be causing damage to your teeth. You see, almost every other beverage we humans consume is acidic on the pH scale: coffee, tea, sodas, sports drinks, wine, beer, and even sparkling water. Adding citrus flavorings like lemon, lime and orange makes it even worse!
Insulated tumblers, in particular, encourage us to enjoy these beverages over a long period of time, sipping on your hot coffee or cold soda throughout the day. The problem with sipping on an acidic drink for hours at a time is that you create an acidic environment inside the mouth. The mouth is not supposed to be acidic!
Acid is the tool that bacteria use to break through enamel and cause cavities. If your mouth is acidic, it allows that process to happen more quickly. Our saliva is slightly alkaline, and it works to fight this acid produced by bacteria. It can’t do that if you are constantly bathing your teeth in acidic drinks.
How do I Know if My Drink is Bad for Teeth?
As the chart shows, almost all of them are. There are a few new bottled waters on the market with a slightly alkaline pH, aiming to keep the mouth at a neutral pH and fight the acid attacks of bacteria. If you are not drinking plain unfiltered tap water (Prosper’s is actually really great!) or alkaline bottled water, you can assume that your favorite drink is below 7 on the pH scale.
The lower it falls on the pH scale, the worse it is for your teeth. We have seen a rise in cavities among adults who have good oral hygiene and relatively low-sugar diets. All evidence indicates that this increased cavity risk results from drinking acidic drinks throughout the day.
Let us Test What’s in Your Yeti!
Join us at the Prosper ISD Community Fair on Saturday, September 14, from 10am to 3pm. We will have a booth equipped to test the pH of your drink. Bring your family and your Yeti over and let us help you find out if you are sipping on something sinister!
Tips for Lowering your Cavity Risk while Still Enjoying your Favorite Drinks
- Drink fast. By shortening the time that your teeth are exposed to acidic liquids, you lower the risk.
Chase it with plain water. Help return your mouth to a neutral pH quickly by swishing some water after finishing your acidic drink.- Chew sugar-free gum. By following an acidic beverage with sugar-free gum, you stimulate more saliva flow, which will counteract and help neutralize the acidic environment.
- Brush up on your oral hygiene. Make sure you’re not allowing bacteria to hang around on your teeth longer by skipping the plaque removal steps of brushing and flossing every single day!
- Don’t skip the dentist! Jill and Dr. Cara are serious about risk assessment and preventive dentistry. They will help you lower your cavity risk and prevent big dental problems.
More Questions about What You Are Drinking?
Call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jill and Dr. Cara. They can answer any question you have about various drinks and how they affect the teeth.
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