{"id":136,"date":"2020-10-13T19:11:07","date_gmt":"2020-10-13T19:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dereksongdmd.com\/blog\/?p=136"},"modified":"2020-10-28T19:17:30","modified_gmt":"2020-10-28T19:17:30","slug":"pumpkin-spice-season-hot-drinks-bad-for-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dereksongdmd.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/13\/pumpkin-spice-season-hot-drinks-bad-for-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s Pumpkin Spice Season! How Hot Drinks Affect Your Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As the year winds down and the weather gets colder, many of\nus will be staying warm with our favorite seasonal hot drinks. Now is the\nperfect time to cozy up on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate, warm apple\ncider, or a pumpkin spice latte. However, have you ever wondered to yourself \u201cAre\nhot drinks bad for my teeth?\u201d Read on to find out how these delicious fall\nbeverages are affecting your teeth and what you can do to keep your smile\nhealthy and sparkling all throughout pumpkin spice season.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Increased Risk of Tooth Decay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You probably already know that most fall-flavored beverages\nare brimming with sugars and sweeteners. However, if you sip on your hazelnut coffee\nall morning or drink hot coco all night long, you\u2019re at an even higher risk of\ntooth decay. Drinking sugary beverages continuously over a long period of time\nprovides a constant stream of fuel for the cavity-causing bacteria in your\nmouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staining & Discoloration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coffee and tea are two classic beverages that help many of\nus fight off the early morning chill this time of year. However, these drinks\ncontain special molecules called tannins. These highly pigmented particles can seep\ninto the porous texture of your enamel and cause discoloration. Tannin stains\nare notorious for being resistant to toothbrushing and can leave your smile noticeably\nless bright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enamel Erosion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sweets and stains aren\u2019t the only problems that festive\nbeverages can cause you this season. Apple cider, holiday teas, and seasonal\ncoffees can all cause your teeth serious damage even if they don\u2019t contain any\nadded sugars. These drinks are all highly acidic, which means they can burn\nthrough your enamel very quickly. Not only does this leave your pearly whites\nvulnerable to tooth decay and discoloration, but it also increases your risk of\nbroken, sensitive teeth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Protecting Your Smile This Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, you can continue to enjoy all your favorite\nseasonal beverages while keeping your smile healthy with a few simple precautions,\nsuch as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n