Raise your glass this Labor Day without risking your smile

From backyard barbeques to beach picnics, Labor Day weekend is synonymous with clinking glasses to the unofficial end to summer. Many of those summertime favorites (like fizzy soda or tangy sangria) can quietly erode your enamel – the protective surface of your teeth.

Enamel is the hardest substance found in the human body – even stronger than bones. It protects the sensitive nerves and blood vessels inside each tooth. Once damaged, it does not grow back, which is why it’s essential to preserve enamel through consistent oral health habits, which also support overall wellness.

“It’s best to limit consumption of highly acidic drinks like citrus juices, wine, and soda,” said Erika M. Sibbie, DMD and dental consultant at Delta Dental Insurance Company.

The good news: there’s a range of small habits you can implement for the holiday weekend to protect your enamel and overall health.

Citrus Beverages

There's nothing quite like an ice-cold glass of lemonade to beat the heat.

“When you do indulge, use a straw to help minimize contact with your teeth,” said Dr. Sibbie. “Avoid swishing the drink around in your mouth because the longer your teeth are exposed to acids, the higher the risk of enamel erosion and long-term damage, including cavities.”

These summertime favorites are often loaded with citric acids and added sugars: the perfect combination for enamel erosion and decay cavities. Citric acids are especially harsh when they sit on your teeth for an extended period of time, so it’s important to rinse, or chew sugar-free gum (especially with Xylitol) immediately afterwards.

Soda

On average, one 12-ounce can of soda has 40 grams of sugar along with citric acids, especially citrus-flavored beverages. Together, the ingredients weaken tooth enamel, increasing the risk of permanent damage and tooth decay.

Swishing water after enjoying a soda helps neutralize the mouth’s natural pH levels and wash away sugar, which will lower the risk of enamel erosion or decay.

Wine

After enjoying a glass of wine, take a quick sip of water. This small habit can help protect your enamel from discoloration and erosion. Swishing water around in your mouth before swallowing helps wash away the wine’s natural pigments and acids, which create a red or purplish hue on your teeth.

“For those on the go, sugar-free chewing gum is a great backup as it stimulates saliva flow and helps neutralize acids in the mouth to keep enamel strong,” Dr. Sibbie added.

Chewing sugar-free gum before drinking wine can also help remove food particles stuck between teeth and reduce the impact of discoloration.

Sparkling Water

“It's best to enjoy these drinks in one sitting or alongside meals,” Dr. Sibbie added. “Sipping them throughout the day exposes your teeth repeatedly to higher acidity, which can impact your oral health.”

Although seltzers and sparkly water offer good alternative to traditionally sugary sodas, the high carbonation content can wear away your enamel from its carbonic acid content. Dr. Sibbie advises paying attention to the ingredient list, especially for citrus-flavored beverages. Citric acids are found in these drinks - from fruits like lemons, limes and oranges – and can erode enamel when left unchecked.

Dentist-approved tips

To minimize potential damage from highly acidic beverages, here are some easy dentist-approved habits for your daily routine and on-the-go:

• Limit your intake of beverages with highly acidic and sugary additives, and check labels to avoid certain ingredients, such as citric acid.
• Drink with a straw to help minimize contact with your teeth when enjoying a summer favorite, such as lemonade. Avoid swishing the beverage around in your mouth to prevent enamel erosion and other long-term damage.
• Rinse your mouth with water and/or chew sugar-free gum after consuming a carbonated, acidic or sugary drink. This will help to neutralize the acids in the mouth.
• Wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth after enjoying an acidic beverage because acidity can temporarily soften enamel. Be sure to use toothpaste with fluoride to strengthen and re-mineralize enamel and repair early stages of tooth decay.
• Maintain a good oral health routine by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist at least twice a year.

Learn more

A consistent oral health routine — brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist twice annually — is essential to keeping your enamel strong and overall health in check.

For more expert oral health tips, visit Delta Dental’s Wellness Library.