Protein shakes are popular beverages and dietary supplements for many individuals. Whether you hope to gain nutritional benefits or improve your fitness performance, these drinks can help you achieve your goals. However, despite their wellness advantages, protein shakes might hurt your teeth.
With advice from your dentist, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy without giving up your favorite beverage. Read on to find tips for taking care of your smile when you drink a protein shake.
Maintaining Good Oral Health When Drinking Protein Shakes
Rinse Grit from Your Teeth
If you have ever had a protein shake, you may have noticed a gritty film develop over your teeth after you finish it. This residue feels uncomfortable, but it could also put the structure and appearance of your smile at risk.
Lingering food particles, including the grit of a protein drink, will begin to interact with the natural bacteria in your mouth. As they do, they create plaque, a harmful substance that erodes the enamel of your teeth. This will leave your smile vulnerable to tooth decay and other dental dangers.
To get rid of plaque, we practice oral hygiene regimens, but we also consume materials that contribute to plaque development between these routines. If you want to boost your oral hygiene, you can drink a glass of water.
This will rinse excess residues and particles from your teeth and lower the chances of forming dental problems. It will also prevent you from getting bad breath. Your mouth can feel fresher while staying safe from dental harm with this action.
Avoid High Amounts of Sugar
To enhance the flavor of the drink, many protein shakes add a great amount of sugar to their product. While you may enjoy the sweet taste, sugar has notoriously detrimental effects on teeth.
Sugar becomes acidic when it reacts with your mouth’s bacteria. The resulting acidic environment could cause the enamel of your teeth to deteriorate. This heightens your risk of getting cavities.
You might also feel tooth sensitivity pain with this type of dental damage. Though your dentist can get rid of cavities with a dental filling, you can protect the natural structure of your smile by avoiding added sugar wherever possible, including in protein drinks. Check the ingredients of your shake for its sugar content before you consume it.
Continue Proper Oral Hygiene Habits
While drinking water can keep your smile clean on the go, you should continue practicing good oral hygiene habits. Brushing your teeth twice each day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist for routine teeth cleanings will help you maintain a strong, healthy smile.
Protein drinks can give your body wellness benefits, but good oral health is necessary to keep the rest of you healthy too. Preventative dental care with these oral hygiene habits will stave off dental emergencies and keep your smile looking and feeling its best.