Fizz, bang, decay? Drink bombs and dental health

Posted on July 2, 2024 in Healthy You

You may have heard of bath bombs, but what about drink bombs? Drink bombs add a fun fizz and pop to your drink, but these trendy treats may impact your oral health.

What is a drink bomb?

Drink bombs are small, effervescent spheres that add festive fizz and flavor to beverages. They’re usually made from fruit juice, gelatin and sugar. How they affect your teeth and mouth greatly depends on the liquid you use to dissolve the drink bomb.

Drink bombs and dental health: What you should know

Drink bombs are a fun novelty, but they may affect your oral health in the following ways:

• Sugar: The sugar in both the drink bomb and the beverage itself can feed the bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities and wears down your tooth enamel (the outer coating of your teeth).
• Alcohol: If your drink bomb is dropped into an alcoholic beverage, that may lead to dry mouth. When you don’t have a healthy amount of saliva in your mouth, it creates the perfect environment for harmful bacteria to grow around your teeth and gums.
• Acid: Sparkling water is often paired with drink bombs to double the bubbles, but these drinks contain a lot of acid. Acidic beverages raise your chances of developing cavities because acid wears down your protective enamel.

Smart sipping: Enjoying drink bombs while safeguarding your smile

You can indulge in drink bombs while minimizing damage to your teeth and mouth with these three tips:

1. Skip the citrus twist: Choose less acidic garnishes like olives or berries over citrus fruits like lemon or lime, which can harm tooth enamel.
2. Drink water, too: Drinking water between sips of your drink bomb beverage helps rinse away sugar and acid and prevents dry mouth.
3. Don’t be too quick to brush: Whenever you drink an acidic beverage, wait at least 30 minutes after your last drink before brushing your teeth to prevent wearing down your enamel.

You don’t have to completely avoid drink bombs, but enjoying them only on special occasions will allow you to take part in the festivities without harming your oral health. By following these tips and keeping up with your regular at-home dental routine, you can minimize the risk to your smile while partaking in the fun.