Do Straws Help or Hurt Your Teeth?

If you have drank a beverage, there's a solid chance you have used a straw, although, there is some debate as to whether or not straws are helpful or hurtful- especially for your dental care! In this blog we are going to be discussing some of the pros and cons of using straws, and let you decide for yourself- do straws help or hurt your teeth?

Read more below and make the decision for yourself and find out what the best dental office in Missouri thinks!  

Pro: Straws Prevent Stains

Straws can prevent staining on the front of your teeth, as what you are drinking isn't hitting directly onto your teeth. Drinks such as soda, coffee, and tea can cause teeth discoloration, which no one wants! Straws are an easy way to help prevent the discoloration, protecting your smile! 

Con: Lip Wrinkles

A con of using straws are that they can inadvertently cause wrinkles to form around your mouth, given the face shape you have to make in order to drink your beverage. Granted, this con isn't something that will happen from using a straw just a handful of times, but rather if made a habit of using straws on a consistent basis. 

Pro: Accessible For Everyone

The good thing about straws are that they are accessible to most people, including those who may have swallowing or motor disorders, which can limit the ease of drinking a beverage. Straws can be useful during these instances as a tool to help when grabbing a glass and drinking just isn't an option. 

Con: Straws Can Stain the Back of Your Teeth

So, we know this contradicts our first pro of using straws, but it is an unfortunate truth that no matter what you drink, there is always a chance it will discolor your teeth, it is just in this case you may end up with the back portion of your teeth stained instead of the front. The best way to avoid staining is to keep your straw towards the back of your mouth to help prevent any contact with your teeth, and making sure you have a consistent brushing schedule. 

There are quite a few pros and cons when it comes to drinking with a straw, but realistically, these cons don't have to be a reason to entirely stop drinking with a straw. Ultimately, if you stick to moderation, schedule routine dental appointments, and develop a healthy dental routine, your smile should be safe, regardless of straw usage. 

To schedule your next dental visit, go to our website at www.accessdentalanddentures.com!