Did you know that using a straw to drink some of your favorite beverages can actually help your teeth? Even though this little trick may seem silly, your dentist in Juneau knows just how much of an impact choosing a straw instead of sipping straight from a cup can have on your smile. Today, we’re going to look at four ways drinking out of a straw can benefit your oral health.  

1. Protect Against Stains

Many of the drinks we use to quench our thirst contain staining agents. These include, but are not limited to: red wine, dark sodas or pop, tea, coffee, and colored sports drinks or fruity drinks. When we drink these without a straw, the staining components can cover our teeth, oftentimes along with sugar. We can limit the amount of sugar and staining agents that come in contact with our teeth by choosing a straw. The other good news is that oftentimes your Juneau dentist can whiten stained teeth through a professional smile whitening treatment. 

2. Less Enamel Loss

Our teeth are covered with a tough layer of protection called enamel. However, even though this sturdy substance can withstand a lot, it’s not impervious to damage. One of the things that can deteriorate enamel is acidic drinks such as lemonade, alcohol, and juice. When too much of the acidic pH comes in contact with teeth, it can wear down the enamel and leave teeth at risk for decay, tooth sensitivity, and other oral health problems. 

3. Keep Cavities Away

Both sugary and acidic drinks are bad for teeth, but as we’ve mentioned a few times already, the more chances these beverages have to come in contact with teeth, the worse it can be for our pearly whites. Too much exposure to liquids that are acidic or sugary will essentially coat teeth in a film of the stuff that bacteria love. This will increase the likelihood of cavity development. Cavities need to be treated promptly by your dentist in Juneau to keep them from causing more damage. One of the ways you can prevent cavities is by choosing a straw. 

A Note For The Environment

Now, we know there are many environmental concerns when it comes to straws. While we want to encourage all of our patients to drink from a straw whenever possible, we also want to minimize the environmental impact of doing so. To help, consider reusable straws at home. There are even reusable travel straws for on-the-go! 

Looking for more helpful tips on how to protect your teeth? Never hesitate to call us or schedule an appointment. We’d love to see you! 

About The Author

Dr. Benjamin Pinney

Dr. Benjamin Pinney, a Wisconsin native, provides evidence-based dentistry services to the people of Juneau and Southeast Alaska. Focusing on prevention, he strives to help his patients achieve optimal oral health. After completing his doctorate and residency, Dr. Pinney pursued continuing education at the prestigious Kois Center. He continues to train at the center and other continuing dental education programs.

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