Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Sugary drinks in Glen Iris

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Sugary Drinks and Your Oral Health

Sugary drinks include sweetened beverages such as regular soft drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, fruit juices, cordial, sweetened teas, rice drinks, sugar cane and bean beverages. While these drinks may seem harmless, they contain high levels of sugar and acid that can harm both your dental and general health.

Excessive consumption of sugary or acidic drinks can lead to weight gain, obesity, and poor nutrition in adults and children. In younger children, sugary drink intake often reduces milk consumption, resulting in lower calcium levels and increasing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life. These drinks also contribute significantly to tooth decay and dental erosion.

The Hidden Dangers of Sugary Drinks

  • A 600ml bottle of soft drink contains around 16 teaspoons of sugar.

  • A 600ml sports drink has about 9 teaspoons of sugar.

  • Nearly 47% of children aged 2–6 consume sugary drinks daily.

  • Just 340ml of sugary drink per day can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by 22%.

Learn more about how obesity affects dental health.

Oral Health Effects

Frequent consumption of sugary drinks accelerates tooth decay and enamel erosion. Even diet soft drinks, although sugar-free, are highly acidic and can cause similar damage. Many sugary beverages also contain caffeine, which can affect hydration and lower the mouth’s pH, reducing saliva’s natural ability to protect your teeth.

Early exposure is particularly harmful. Prolonged or repeated contact between a baby’s teeth and sugary liquids has been linked to early childhood caries.

To understand more, read about acidic drinks and dental erosion.

Smart Tips to Cut Back on Sugary Drinks

  • Choose water first when you’re thirsty.

  • Carry a water bottle to avoid buying sweet drinks.

  • When ordering meals, opt for water or milk instead of soft drinks.

  • Check nutrition labels carefully—“healthy-sounding” drinks can be misleading.

  • For alcoholic beverages, explore lower-sugar options.

  • Avoid the soft drink aisles and checkout specials when shopping.

  • Limit how often and how much you drink sugary drinks per day.

  • Use a straw to reduce acid contact with teeth.

  • Rinse or brush your teeth after drinking sugary beverages.

  • Encourage children to carry a water bottle to school.

  • Avoid flavored milk or fruit juices with added sugar.

  • If vending machines at school offer sweet drinks, advocate for healthier alternatives.

Sugary Drinks and Infant Care

For babies with teeth:

  • Never settle your baby to sleep with bottles containing milk, cordial, fruit juice, or soft drink.

  • If your child needs comfort before sleep, offer water or a dummy instead.

Establishing healthy habits early helps protect both your child’s dental health and their long-term wellbeing.

 

How to Prevent Sensitive Teeth in Winter: Expert Tips from Glen Iris Dentists

How to Prevent Sensitive Teeth During Winter in Glen Iris

Huddling up with a warm cup of tea or hot chocolate is one of winter’s simple pleasures. But the cold weather can also bring less pleasant issues such as dry skin, cracked lips, and sensitive teeth. Many people in Glen Iris experience tooth pain as temperatures drop, but the good news is that you can prevent discomfort with a few simple strategies.

Here are some practical ways to avoid tooth sensitivity this winter and keep your family smiling comfortably.

1. Breathe Through Your Nose, Not Your Mouth

When you breathe through your mouth in cold weather, freezing air hits your teeth directly. This sudden temperature change can trigger sharp tooth pain. Try to breathe through your nose whenever possible to protect your enamel from cold-air shock.

2. Warm Your Teeth Before Drinking Hot Beverages

If you enjoy hot drinks, avoid exposing cold teeth to extreme heat right away. Start with a warm (not hot) sip to gently bring the temperature of your teeth up. This prevents sudden expansion within the enamel and dentin, reducing your risk of sensitivity.

3. Use a Desensitising Toothpaste or Fluoride Mouthwash

Desensitising toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash can help seal exposed dentin, strengthen enamel, and reduce sensitivity over time. Use them twice daily during winter for best results.

When to See Your Dentist

Healthy teeth should stop aching once they’ve warmed up. However, if you continue to experience pain or sensitivity, it may be a sign of inflammation in the dental pulp. In these cases, it’s important to book an appointment with Dr. Daniel Kaufman at Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris. Early treatment can prevent more complex dental issues.

At Tooronga Family Dentistry, we’re here to help your family enjoy a healthy, pain-free winter. Please Call us.

How Saliva Protects Against Tooth Erosion: Essential Facts for Better Oral Health.

Why Saliva Is Essential for Protecting Your Teeth From Erosion

Saliva plays a crucial role in digestion, taste, and maintaining strong oral health. One of its most important functions is protecting your teeth from tooth erosion. Here are four key properties of saliva that help safeguard your enamel and keep your mouth healthy.

1. Saliva Helps Rinse Away Food and Bacteria

Water is essential not only for overall health, but also for proper saliva production. Salivary glands filter water from the bloodstream, making it a major component of saliva.
Adequate saliva flow helps wash away food particles and bacteria, keeping teeth cleaner and reducing the risk of tooth erosion.
Dehydration or certain medications can reduce saliva production, lowering these natural cleansing effects and increasing your risk of tooth decay.

2. Saliva Neutralizes Harmful Acids

Saliva contains bicarbonate, a natural buffer that neutralizes acids from foods and drinks. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, vitamin C supplements, soft drinks, and fruit juices all introduce acids into the mouth.
While salivary bicarbonate can neutralize most dietary acids, some sports drinks and soft drinks contain very strong acids that exceed saliva’s protective ability. When acids are not neutralized, the enamel and dentin begin to break down, leading to cavities.

3. Saliva Provides Calcium to Protect and Repair Teeth

Calcium is another vital component of saliva. These ions help form crystals with dietary acids—such as citric acid found in citrus fruits, certain wines, and tomatoes—to protect teeth from erosion.
Salivary calcium also supports remineralisation, helping repair weakened enamel that has been damaged by acids and bacteria.

4. Saliva Supports Taste and Stimulates Healthy Production

Saliva is essential for food tasting, and taste receptors help regulate saliva flow. Fresh fruits and vegetables stimulate sour, salty, and bitter taste receptors, making them excellent natural saliva stimulants. Including them in your breakfast helps kick-start the day with a hydrated, well-protected mouth.

When to Contact Your Dentist

Because saliva is so important to your oral health, it’s crucial to seek help if you experience dry mouth, thick or frothy saliva, or difficulty tasting food. Conditions such as diabetes, chronic dehydration, anorexia nervosa, depression, and alcoholism can reduce salivary flow and require careful monitoring.
If you are concerned about your saliva quality or production, contact Dr. Daniel Kaufman and the friendly team at Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris for a thorough assessment.