As many health enthusiasts will tell you, water is the best fluid to drink. But some people who pump iron, run, cycle, or include other rigorous activities in their daily lifestyle fuel their activities with ample amounts of energy drinks. Over the past 20 years, these colorful beverages have gained tremendous popularity with athletes and people who need a midday pick-me-up.

The good news for teens and adults who drink products like Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar, and others is there are plenty of options. The bad news is they are unhealthy for you and your teeth.

Why Energy Drinks Are Unhealthy

The components that put the oomph in these beverages are various stimulants, including high amounts of caffeine, leading to increased alertness and attentiveness.

Unfortunately, these stimulants also jack up your heart rate and increase your blood pressure. There have been instances where young teens have essentially overdosed on energy drinks, bringing on a cardiac event.

In addition, energy drinks disrupt healthy sleep patterns, which may make people struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep all night after drinking these beverages day after day.

Energy Drinks, Enamel Damage, Tooth Decay

The acidic pH in energy drinks is so stout it can increasingly erode tooth enamel, the protective layer that keeps your teeth shielded from dangerous bacteria. This problem may cause dental issues like tooth sensitivity or root damage.

Energy drinks may also contribute to tooth decay and cavities. The consequences can be severe because it’s impossible to replace lost enamel.

Sports Drinks, Energy Drinks, and Oral Health

Sports and energy drinks are similar to sodas in affecting your teeth. Both beverage types have a high sugar content and extremely acidic pH.

Sugar attracts bacteria, which go into overdrive when introduced to your mouth. And the byproduct of sugar is acid. When this acid contacts tooth enamel for extended periods, it weakens teeth.

All energy drinks, even those with limited sugar content, have an extremely low pH. Their high acidity can increase your risk of tooth decay and cavities with regular consumption.

Why Are Natural Energy Drinks a Better Alternative?

If you enjoy consuming energy drinks, you should consider healthier alternatives to protect your oral health.

Green Smoothies and Juices

Make green juices using kale, parsley, and spinach. They are natural sources of vitamin B that aid your body’s performance.

Green Tea

Green tea naturally contains trace amounts of caffeine. Green tea also has health benefits and can help lower your risk of cancer and heart disease, while improving your performance and mental clarity.

Water

Water is the most effective energy drink. However, your metabolic reactions slow down when you’re dehydrated, resulting in lower energy levels. Spice up your glass of water by adding lemon, lime, cucumber, strawberries, or blueberries.

Caring for Your Oral Health in Austin

Addressing your dental concerns before they become significant problems is the top priority at Hill Country Oral Surgery. To learn more about oral health and brilliant white teeth, schedule a dental assessment by calling us at (512) 327-7233 or contact us online.

Are you looking for an oral surgeon in Austin? Do you wonder if you can schedule a consultation directly with the specialist? Well, the answer depends on the type of dental treatment you need, the practice policies, and the insurance regulations.

Do I Need to See an Oral Surgeon?

Oral surgeons are dentists who are specialized in the field of oral surgery, which can be defined as any surgical procedure performed in the area of the jaws and oral cavity. Technically known as OMS (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons), they can carry out multiple treatments that can be too complex for a general or family dentist.

You might need to see an oral surgeon for any of the following procedures:

• Dental Implants
• Sinus Lift
• Bone Grafts
• Tooth Extractions (many can be performed by general dentists as well)
• Wisdom Teeth Surgery 
• Oral Pathology/Biopsy
• Emergency Care: Facial and Dental Trauma or Injury, Severe Swelling
• IV Sedation/Anesthesia

Will We Ask You for a Referral?

This will depend pretty much on the type of procedure you need. If you are coming to the office referred by another professional, our front-desk team will ask you for the referral form and any other complementary information you might have from the previous practice, including x-rays, scans, or any other test.

If you are coming to our practice following a recommendation of family or friends, or you just found our service online, we advise you to contact our office. We will evaluate your case and determine which steps you need to follow to get the best dental attention at Austin Oral Surgery.

Does My Dental Insurance Require a Referral for Oral Surgery?

While we might not ask you for a referral to consult one of our specialists, many insurance companies don’t allow patients to book an appointment with an oral surgeon without visiting a general dentist first.

So, if you want your insurance to cover the cost of the consultation and the posterior treatment, you need to check their policy and make sure you follow their instructions.

Our receptionist can offer you some guidance regarding insurance policies, but you can also contact your provider to find out what you need to do to schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon.

We advise all patients to follow these steps if they want to be seen by one of our specialists:

• Review your insurance policy to check if a referral is needed.
• Get in contact with the insurance provider if you have any doubts.
• Contact our office with any questions and ask if a referral is required in your particular case.
• If you need a referral, contact your general dentist or physician to obtain it.
• Schedule the consultation/first visit.

Interested in learning more? Contact Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin, TX today!

Are you tired of seeing those dark stains in your front teeth every time you look in the mirror? Well, you’re not the only one. Most people that drink tea and coffee very often have the same problem. Besides being absolutely necessary for your daily routine, these beverages have the downside of producing those brown stains on your teeth.

Luckily, some tips can help you prevent this inconvenience. Read this blog to find out what you can do about tooth stains!

For more information on oral surgery including tooth extraction, jaw surgery, implant surgery, and more book a consultation with one of our expert oral surgeons in Austin and Buda, TX through our online form. While you’re here take a look at our before and after transformations in our gallery.

Why Do Teeth Get Stained When Drinking Tea and Coffee?

It is essential to understand how they are produced to prevent these stains. While tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body, enduring biting and chewing pressures, it does have microscopic pores. When you drink tea or coffee, the tannins (a dark pigment present in the brew) seep into those pores, leaving dark stains behind. In addition, these drinks—and coffee in particular—are acidic, which means that they can also wear the enamel away, leading to more staining over time.

How Can I Prevent Coffee and Tea Stains?

Below, we list a few tips and recommendations to avoid these annoying dark stains:

• Use a straw: drinking through a straw reduces the exposure of your “social six” (the six front teeth) to the tannins that cause the staining, as the tea and coffee go straight down your throat. It might be a bit awkward at first, but you will keep your smile bright for a long time if you get used to it.
• Drink loads of water: as mentioned before, the enamel is porous, and tannins can get stuck inside those microscopic pores. Drinking water washes away any remaining staining agents that might have been trapped inside the enamel.
• Mix beverages with milk or cream: mixing tea and coffee with dairies has two advantages. In the first place, it lightens the color of the beverages. Secondly, the proteins present in the dairies attaches to the tannins, avoiding their interaction with teeth enamel.
• Brush teeth shortly after tea or coffee: ideally, patients should brush their teeth 30 minutes after drinking any of these beverages. It’s not recommended to do it immediately after, as the drinks are acidic and can affect the enamel. Still, it’s advisable to do it soon enough to remove the tannins adhered to the teeth surface when it is still possible.
• Keep good oral hygiene: tannins are more likely to stick to teeth with dental plaque or tartar, so having a conscious brushing and flossing routine is vital to protect your pearly whites.
• Use whitening toothpaste: whitening toothpaste doesn’t do miracles, but it can help you avoid or at least control tooth staining. This kind of product is sold over the counter, so you can easily incorporate it into your daily routine for a reasonable price.

Still Worried About Tooth Stains?

Contact our oral surgery office in Austin, TX, and schedule a consultation with one of our dentists at Hill Country Oral Surgery. They will answer all your questions and offer you different treatment alternatives to get rid of those stains!

For many people, a good oral hygiene routine usually includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash.  However, mouthwashes have been the subject of quite a bit of controversy, and the jury may still be out on whether they should be part of your morning routine. So, what do dentists and oral surgeons have to say about it? Let’s find out.

Do Oral Surgeons Recommend Mouthwash?

The answer is not that simple, and it turns out that it depends on factors including age, the reason for mouthwash, and what type you use. Let’s look at each of these individually.

Age

Children under the age of six should not use mouthwash, ever. Especially if the mouthwash contains alcohol. They are more likely to swallow the rinse or mouthwash, which could prove harmful to their overall health.

Type of Mouthwash

There are five different kinds of mouthwashes:

• Desensitizing wash
• Cosmetic wash
• Anti-plaque wash
• Fluoride rinse
• Teeth whitening wash

These different types of rinses are designed to solve specific dental concerns. Your oral surgeon or dentist at Hill Country Oral Surgery may recommend one of these products or offer other options for a better solution. For example, if you wish to whiten your teeth, teeth whitening rinses can reduce some dental stains over time. However, in-office dental bleaching is much faster and more effective.

Suppose you experience bad breath and want a cosmetic wash. In that case, a dental professional may recommend treating the root of the problem. Also, your dentist may advise a homemade saltwater rinse to treat the problem of canker sores or mouth ulcers.

Your Needs

If you have cavities or a high risk of gum diseases, your dental professional may recommend an antibacterial mouth rinse. Fluoride rinses help ward off tooth decay. Dentists advise pregnant women to employ an antibacterial or anti-plaque rinse to reduce the risk of early labor.

Never confuse oral rinses with proper dental care. Although a cosmetic rinse may have your mouth feeling fresh and clean, it does not fight bacteria which causes bad breath. Always ask your dentist or oral surgeon which mouthwash is best suited for you.

When Should You Use Mouthwash?

Using mouthwash does not always have a large impact on your oral health. But here are some critical reasons your oral surgeon may recommend one:

• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
• Cavities
• Bacterial decay
• Periodontitis

Conclusion

Nobody knows your teeth better than your oral surgeon or dentist at Hill Country Oral Surgery. If you want to start using mouthwash, it is better to ask them first. Oral hygiene is most affected by brushing, flossing, and periodic cleanings and checkups.

Need More Information?

Call our Austin oral surgery office at 512-327-7233 to request a consultation.