Good and Bad Drink

To start with the positive, flat water and milk are both appropriate choices for your teeth. Milk not only contains calcium, but is also low in acidity, while water cleanses the mouth and hydrates the gums.

Reports suggest that green and black tea can also be good for your teeth - they contain polyphenols, which are antioxidants that help stop plaque from adhering to your teeth and reduces your chances of developing cavities and gum disease. By inhibiting the growth of bacteria, tea is also great for bad breath. Some green teas also contain fluoride, which helps protect your teeth's enamel.

On the negative side of things, it is unsurprising that coffee will stain your teeth, turning your pearly whites into a much less desirable shade of yellow. Coffee can also cause tooth decay.

Fruit juices should only be enjoyed at mealtimes, because of their high fructose sugar content. Whereas fructose sugar has a low glycemic index and is appropriate, other sweetened drinks contain sucrose, which is particularly associated with tooth decay.

There is a link between carbonated drinks and enamel erosion - even if the drinks are diet and do not contain sugar, as do acidic drinks such as citrus beverages. Recently, sports and energy drinks such as Gatorade and Red Bull have also been named as culprits that can erode enamel, so it is good to steer clear of them as well if possible.

Erosion can cause hypersensitivity, and discolouration.

If you are going to consume acidic, sugary, or carbonated drinks however, try to use a straw. This will limit the exposure of your teeth to the beverages that you are consuming. Drinks should also be consumed all at once, and not sipped throughout the day, so your teeth are not constantly exposed to acids and sugars. Finally, after consuming an acidic beverage, wait at least an hour before brushing, as this can cause more harm than good, by brushing away the softened surface of the enamel.