Whether you want to improve your fitness performance or hope to add nutritional value to your diet, you may appreciate the benefits of drinking protein shakes. These beverages offer wellness advantages. But they could pose a risk to the health of your teeth and gums if you are not careful.
With preventative dental care, you can still enjoy protein drinks without harming your smile. Read on to learn how protein shakes can impact your oral health and how you can preserve your smile without giving up your favorite drink.
How Can I Protect My Smile When Drinking Protein Shakes?
Get Rid of Grit on Teeth
When you drink a protein shake, you may notice that it leaves a gritty film behind on your teeth. Not only does this grit feel uncomfortable in your mouth, but it could be hurting your smile.
As residues remain on your teeth, they contribute to the formation of plaque. This substance eats away at the enamel, the outer layer of your teeth. If enamel erodes, the vulnerable interior of your teeth becomes exposed, putting you at risk of structural dental damage.
You should try to get rid of this grit from your teeth as soon as you can. While you might not always have access to a toothbrush and toothpaste, you can rinse the residue away by drinking water. This can also lower the chances of these lingering particles forming bad breath.
Avoid High Sugar Content
Many protein shakes contain high amounts of sugar in order to make them taste sweeter and appeal to a wider audience. Though you may appreciate the flavor, sugar can have a negative impact on your dental health.
Sugar becomes acidic when it reacts with the natural bacteria in your mouth. The acidic environment affects your tooth enamel, weakening it and increasing your likelihood of getting cavities.
Though your dentist can treat this early form of tooth decay with dental fillings, you will need dental intervention to restore the structure of your smile. You can lower your risk for this type of dental damage by avoiding added sugar, including in your protein drinks.
Continue Good Oral Hygiene Habits
Maintaining a healthy smile starts with good habits in your at-home dental care. You should practice proper oral hygiene, which includes brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily.
Rinsing with a mouthwash that contains fluoride can fortify your tooth enamel. This will make your smile better resistant to cavities and other issues that may threaten your dental health.
A major step of your oral hygiene regimen should also include routine appointments with your dentist. Dental professionals recommend getting a teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months for optimal protection of your smile and prevention of dental concerns. With a healthy foundation from this type of preventative dental care, you can keep your smile looking and feeling its best while drinking protein shakes.