Many people enjoy protein shakes, whether they intend to improve their fitness or hope to balance their diet. While these drinks offer health benefits, they could pose a threat to the appearance and structure of your smile.
However, you do not have to abandon a beverage that you love to preserve your oral health. Dr. Christopher Banks, a dentist serving patients in Chevy Chase, MD, outlines steps you can take to avoid structural harm from drinking protein shakes.
How Can I Prevent Dental Damage from Protein Drinks?
Do Not Let Grit Linger on Your Teeth
When you sip a protein shake, you likely notice that a gritty residue may form on your teeth after you swallow. This film may feel uncomfortable in your mouth, but it could also hurt the enamel of your teeth.
Lingering food particles, like the grit from a protein shake, will begin to interact with the natural bacteria in your mouth to create plaque. This harmful substance eats away at the outer layer of your tooth. It will leave your smile vulnerable to cavities and other dental problems. Once the enamel erodes, it cannot regrow. You may require restorative dental solutions to repair the structural damage to your teeth.
We complete oral hygiene routines to get rid of plaque. But we also consume foods and drinks, like protein shakes, between these cleaning regimens that will contribute to plaque formation. Drinking a glass of water after a protein shake can rinse the gritty residue from your teeth and protect your smile.
Beware of High Sugar Content
Many protein drinks feature high levels of added sugar to enhance the flavor of their product. Sugar is notoriously harmful to your dental health. This is because it becomes acidic when it meets with your mouth’s natural bacteria.
The acidic environment will erode the enamel of your teeth, causing irreversible damage to your smile. Therefore, you should monitor your sugar intake and avoid added sugar wherever possible, including in your protein shakes.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Practices
Though you may realize the wellness advantages of protein drinks, you should also know that maintaining your oral health can play a role in keeping the rest of your body healthy. You should ensure that you practice good oral hygiene habits to prevent dental emergencies and keep your smile looking and feeling its best. Your regimen should include brushing your teeth twice each day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist for routine cleanings and exams every six months.
Get More Oral Hygiene Tips from Your Chevy Chase Dentist
Capital Cosmetic Dentistry offers teeth cleanings, preventative dental care, and other general dentistry treatments to their patients. Dr. Banks is a highly qualified dentist in Chevy Chase, MD who also specializes in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including tooth replacement solutions. To schedule an appointment with our practice, contact our office by phone at 202.769.0324. You may also reach a member of our staff online.