Hard seltzers are a popular type of drink for anyone looking for tasty, low-calorie alcoholic beverages. They can be very refreshing and easy to drink, especially on a hot summer’s day. Many people may see them as a healthier alternative to other alcoholic drinks such as wine, beer, and spirits. However, there’s one part of you that probably won’t thank you if you drink a lot of hard seltzer. Your teeth can be affected by the alcohol, carbonation, and sugar in a hard seltzer. Drinking a lot of them can damage your teeth, so it’s important to be careful about what you’re drinking.

How Can Hard Seltzer Affect Your Teeth?

There are a few key things to be concerned about if you’re a fan of hard seltzer. Firstly, hard seltzers have a high acidity, much like many other alcoholic drinks. Anything that’s more acidic can damage your teeth by wearing away the enamel. And once the enamel on your teeth has gone, you can’t get it back. Alcoholic drinks can also dry out your mouth, and a dry mouth is the ideal environment for bacteria to grow. When you have a dry mouth, you have less saliva to help get rid of the saliva.

Carbonation is another thing to keep in mind when thinking about hard seltzers and oral health. Some people will pick sparkling water to drink because they see it as healthier than soda. But, while it typically has less sugar and additives than soda, it’s not as healthy as still water. Sparkling water is more acidic than still water, which can cause damage to the enamel, more bacteria, and plaque buildup.

You might choose a hard seltzer because it’s low-calorie and advertised as being low in sugar too. However, if something seems too good to be true, it often is. It’s not exactly the case that hard seltzers are sugar-free. To begin with, alcohol is made with sugar. Additionally, the sweeteners added to the drink (to keep it low in sugar) can increase the acidity.

All of these things mean that hard seltzer might not be as good for you as you think. You don’t have to stop enjoying it, but you should take some steps to look after your teeth.

Protect Your Teeth from Hard Seltzer

One thing that you can do if you want to protect your teeth from hard seltzer is to make sure you drink some water after having one. This will help to wash the acids from your mouth and protect your teeth, plus it will keep you hydrated and help to slow down the effects of the alcohol. You might also want to consider some other drinks that are better for your teeth. Gin is low in sugar and is low in acidity compared to other spirits. You can mix it with club soda for a fizzy effect. Or consider having a light beer, which is often low in sugar and acidity too. Making changes to what you drink can help to protect your teeth and your smile. Contact us today for advice from our expert team of professionals or make an appointment at BostonDental.com.