Tooth be told, not all morning drinks are great for your teeth. Keep these troublesome drinks in mind when reaching for that cuppa.

When your alarm goes off at the crack of dawn, the first thing you crave is probably your daily cup of coffee, tea, juice, or other caffeinated beverage that gets your day off to an energized start. Morning drinks are universally an integral part of morning routines, but what many fail to recognize is the damage these drinks can do to your teeth over time. Of course, brushing your teeth after breakfast is the first step in teeth maintenance, but drinking through a straw and drinking everything in moderation are other ways to preserve oral health. It doesn’t hurt to keep in mind the drinks that keep your teeth from beaming when you walk into a room.

Skip the juice.

If a glass of juice is your refreshing pick-me-up at 6:00 a.m., consider diluting this sugary choice with water to keep your enamel intact. Or try drinking it more quickly instead of sipping it slowly all morning. Orange juice can be especially damaging to your teeth due to the high levels of acid slowly wearing at the hardness of your enamel. The high levels of artificial sugars and citric acid in juice beverages as a whole can also create a buildup of plaque. Don’t forget about those pesky cavities, which tend to sneak up on you when you consume high levels of sugar without realizing it.

Skip the soda.

If you enjoy a bottle or can of soda before
heading to the office, try to remember to drink in moderation. Make your choice of soda your only sugary drink of the day, or, better yet, sip with a straw to prevent further damage to the enamel and dentin—the tissue beneath enamel that could get affected as well by these drinks.

Skip the coffee.

Telling someone not to drink coffee each morning is one of the worst things you can do, but you may want to consider cutting back, at least for the sake of your teeth. A suggestion for keeping the damage coffee does to a minimum is continually drinking water in-between cups, as well as eating while you enjoy your caffeinated morning cuppa’.

Skip the black tea.

If your morning drink of choice is a steaming, freshly brewed cup of tea instead of coffee, don’t think you’re off the hook. Black tea produces similar effects to your teeth as mentioned with coffee, which may convince you to make the switch to herbal teas, like those found in the white and green varieties. While brushing your teeth after having your morning drink of choice might be a hassle, it also could benefit you in the long run. Say goodbye to stained teeth and hello to a whiter smile!

Sip on this!

Milk, white tea, and lemon water are great morning drink alternatives for keeping your teeth stainless and radiating. Be sure to let your dentist know if you’re experiencing severe pain in your jaw when you wake up in the morning.