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Do Hot Drinks Hurt Your Teeth?

Posted on 7/20/2016 by Brandon Cooley

The reason that hot beverages can cause a bit of an issue when it comes to your oral health is that they are generally are not drunk through a straw.

Drinking through a straw reduces the amount of liquids that come in contact with your teeth and therefore in a sense protect your teeth.

Continued exposure to warm drinks like coffee, hot chocolate or tea will not only lead to tooth discoloration, but it can also cause tooth decay.

How to Protect Your Teeth While Enjoying Hot Drinks

The good news is that you do not have to give up that morning cup of Joe or your evening cup of hot tea to keep your teeth healthy. There are things that you can do to protect your teeth and still enjoy your favorite hot beverage.

•	Brush. Make it a point to brush your teeth after you indulge in a cup of hot chocolate or after your morning coffee. The longer that the beverage sits on your teeth the more damage the sugars can do in terms of decay and the more staining that is likely. So, be sure to carry a toothbrush and toothpaste with you at all times. You never know when you might need it!
•	Drink water. Take care to drink plenty of water while enjoying a dark, hot beverage. Alternate between sips of coffee or tea and a sip of water. This is not only important to keep you hydrated, but it will also rinse away residual liquids.
•	Floss. Flossing will remove plaque buildup from your teeth and gums, which tends to stain more easily.
•	Drink out of a straw. Seems strange, yes. But it does not have to be a big bubble tea sized straw. Use a small stir stick sized straw available at all coffee shops to reduce the contact of hot drinks with your teeth.

Use these simple tips to help you reduce damage that could potentially be caused to your teeth from hot drinks and keep those pearly whites bright and strong all year long!

Please contact us if you have any questions about hot drinks and your oral health.

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EMAIL
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4100 Factoria Blvd SE Suite C
Bellevue, WA 98006-1262

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