Are they Really Protecting Your Teeth

1
Are they Really Protecting Your Teeth
Are they Really Protecting Your Teeth
2

• There are a lot of myths about straws, and the
  value they bring to your overall dental health.
  While some individuals swear that using straws to
  sip sugary sodas or staining coffees can help
  prevent tooth cavities and tooth decay, others
  insist theres really no protection in using a
  straw. Because straws are believed to affect a
  persons tooth alignment if used over an extended
  period of time,

3

• Its important to know the facts about these
  drinking accessories before using one each time
  you sit down in a restaurant. In todays post,
  well take a look at the truth about straws and
  their ability to protect against tooth cavities
  and decay.

4
Straws and Structure

• When it comes to the effect straws have on the
  structure of your teeth, most dentists agree that
  using straws on a regular basis can have adverse
  effects on tooth alignment. Because teeth
  continue to shift as we age, influencing factors
  such as the placement of our tongue, or (in this
  case) the way a straw sits on our teeth, can
  affect your teeths alignment over time. In fact,
  slight gaps or overlaps in a persons front teeth
  has become quite common when they use straws
  regularly.

5
(No Transcript)
6
Straws and Cavity Protection

• Some dental professionals suggest that straws can
  fight tooth cavities by providing sugary or
  staining drinks a more direct route into the back
  of the mouth, but we slightly disagree.

7

• Although using a straw does allow liquids to
  bypass the front of your teeth, once the beverage
  is in your mouth it will inevitably touch your
  tongue and back of your front teeth, while
  quickly surrounding your rear molars. While a
  straw may be helping the liquid avoid your front
  teeth, your molars are still at risk.

8
(No Transcript)
9

• Unfortunately, the only effective way to use a
  straw to protect your teeth would be to ensure
  you place the straw behind your teeth and tongue,
  so that any liquids you drink will end up
  directly in your throat.
• Not only would this be uncomfortable, it would
  also take all the fun out of enjoying the drink,
  because you wouldnt taste it! For this reason,
  we believe that straws are only somewhat
  effective at protecting your teeth from sugary
  beverages as drinking without one.

10
Straws and Stain Protection

• Just as many people believe that using a straw
  can prevent cavities, others believe that
  drinking coffee with a straw can reduce the
  likelihood of tooth stains. Unfortunately, this
  is also quite untrue. In the same way straws
  cannot protect your teeth from acidic, cavity
  forming chemicals, it cannot protect your teeth
  from stains.

11
(No Transcript)
12

• Overall, straws can be somewhat useful to fight
  tooth cavities or improve your dental health, but
  are not a complete solution. Instead of searching
  for ways that you can protect your teeth from a
  ranging soda or coffee habit, it may be time to
  consider substituting your sugary drinks of
  choice for something healthier for your teeth.

13

• Instead of juice and soda, try drinking
  unsweetened tea and water more often, as these
  have less of an effect on your overall dental
  health. If you do decide to use a straw, avoid
  chewing on the straw or placing it firmly between
  your teeth to prevent your teeth from shifting.

14

• Of course, the best way to remove sugary drink
  and coffee residue from your teeth (should you
  still drink them) is to brush immediately after
  consumption.

15

• If you have teeth that have gotten slightly out
  of alignment due to straw use (or anything else)
  or if your teeth arent quite as white as you
  would like, schedule an appointment with one of
  our dentists in Newport News or one of our other
  offices. We always have time on our schedule for
  new patients and we love seeing familiar faces.

16

• To More Update, Visit Us

http//morrisondentalgroup.com/dentist-newport-new
s-va/