We all have those beverages that we love. However, unless those beverages are water, there’s a good chance they have a negative impact on your teeth. How can you continue to enjoy the sodas, coffees, and juices of the world without harming your pearly whites? Here are six tricks that you can use to continue sipping without worry.

Drink Through A Straw

Allow the liquid to bypass your teeth altogether by using a straw. In addition to keeping your teeth whiter, using a straw also helps you keep cold liquids away from your teeth – avoiding painful tooth sensitivity.

Avoid Holding The Drink In Your Mouth

When you use mouthwash, you are instructed to hold and swish the liquid in your mouth before spitting it out; this is to make sure the liquid gets every accessible part of your teeth. You should do the exact opposite for sugary, carbonated, caffeinated drinks. As soon as the liquid enters your mouth, swallow to avoid damaging your teeth.

Rinse Your Mouth With Water Immediately After Drinking

Any sugary residue left on your teeth can cause cavities and feed harmful bacteria in your mouth. Wash it out as soon as you finish your drink by rinsing it with water. Water helps both neutralize the acid and increase the production of saliva in the mouth.

Don’t Brush Your Teeth Right After Drinking

It’s very important that you wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth after drinking any sugary or acidic beverages. This is because the beverage weakens the enamel, and brushing will cause further permanent damage to the tooth. Instead, follow the tip above and simply rinse your mouth with water.

Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum is proven to increase saliva production. The additional saliva will help to remove the remaining sugar and bacteria on your teeth left over from the beverage. Choose your gum brand carefully – not all sugar-free gum is created equal. For more guidance on what kinds of gum to chew after drinking sugary, acidic beverages, check out our blog post, To Chew or Not to Chew: Gum Types Preferred by Dentists.