With St. Patrick’s Day getting close, maybe you’ll grab a pint with your friends soon. The holiday involves a lot of drinking and eating, and you likely don’t want to miss out. Even so, don’t get too caught up in today’s excitement; St. Patty’s Day can hurt your grin if you’re not careful. Your Los Angeles dentist is thus here with some special dental advice. So, keep reading to learn some great dental tips for St. Patrick’s Day that’ll protect your smile.
St. Patty’s Day Can Hurt Smiles
Most people link St. Patrick’s Day with shamrocks and beer, not damaged smiles. Still, the fact remains that this festive day tends to harm teeth.
Heavy drinking happens to be a common cause of tooth decay. Since beer and wine have sugars and acids, they can easily wear down your smile’s enamel. It’s to the point that drinking too much can lead to nasty cavities; the effect is worse when you have alcohol without breaks.
Adding insult to injury, alcohol for St. Patty’s Day often has food coloring. This substance gives beer a suitably green hue, but it can also stain your teeth and tongue. That would mean sporting an ugly grin for most of the day.
Great Dental Tips for St. Patrick’s Day
Despite the points above, St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to harm your oral health. You just need to use the following tips:
Adjust for Acidity
It bears repeating that beer is highly acidic; the drink sits at around four on the pH scale. Given this fact, compensate for your day’s drinking by brushing your teeth afterward. Doing so removes the acids in your mouth before they erode your enamel.
Avoid Stouts
As satisfying as they may be, try to avoid stouts on St. Patrick’s Day. These dark beers contain roasted malts and barley – ingredients that stain teeth a dark shade. Instead, go for a lighter beverage that isn’t as likely to discolor your grin.
Use Water to Hydrate
Though a liquid, an alcoholic drink can leave you dehydrated. It’s a diuretic – a substance that makes your body lose plenty of water and salt. Since that’s the case, try to sip on water throughout your drinking session. Getting enough H2O will ensure you don’t suffer dry mouth and rid you of bad bacteria and food debris.
St. Patrick’s Day is plenty of fun, but these dental tips will make it even better. Remember to use them once you start celebrating!
About the Practice
Geller Dentistry is based in Los Angeles, CA. Led by husband and wife Drs. Benjamin Geller and Gloria Garcia-Geller, our practice offers truly stellar dental care. Our team provides patients with preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative treatments, as well as emergency oral services. You can thus trust us to make your smile thrive for a lifetime. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (323)-467-1472.