26 Sep Is Kombucha Good or Bad for Your Teeth?
When it comes to kombucha and dental health, it’s a bit of a toss-up. Kombucha has its pros and cons, so it’s not easy to say whether it’s good or bad for your teeth. The health benefits of kombucha might not outweigh its drawbacks…we explain why in more detail below.
Kombucha and Dental Health: Pros and Cons
Pros: Kombucha contains probiotics and antioxidants that support good dental health.
Cons: On the other hand, it also contains sugars and acids, so it may contribute to enamel erosion or gum irritation.
Kombucha: The Bright Side
Everybody who wants to be healthy and live longer wants to get more probiotics and antioxidants into their diet. When it comes to dental health, probiotics and antioxidants win again. They are both very beneficial for your teeth and gums.
- Probiotics help neutralize the pH balance in your mouth, preventing the acid attacks that lead to cavities and gum disease.
- Antioxidants fight inflammation (gum disease) and help reduce your stress levels, so they also have a positive effect on your dental health.
Kombucha: The Dark Side
Despite all its positive benefits, kombucha isn’t exactly good for your teeth. Just like commercial sodas, it also contains sugars and acids.
- The cultures used to make kombucha feed on sugars—and it takes a lot of sugar to feed them. Even though the sugar content in the final product is fairly low, the average bottle of kombucha can contain anywhere from 10 to 28 grams of sugar. That’s not good news for your teeth.
- The cultures in kombucha that eat sugar convert those sugars into organic acids. Kombucha is considered an acidic drink, with a pH between 2.5 and 3.5. Acidic drinks contribute to tooth decay as well as gum disease, so for your dental health, it’s better to avoid them. If you brew your own kombucha at home, brew with caution—the longer it ferments, the more acidic it will be.
How Often Should You Drink Kombucha?
Because of its benefits for gut health and its antioxidant powers, many people drink kombucha every day. However, if you do drink kombucha every day, it’s best to limit yourself to 4-8 ounces. This will minimize the negative effects on your teeth and prevent gastrointestinal upset as well.
But just like coffee, soda, and fruit juice, you should always drink a glass of water afterward to help neutralize the acidic effects. Drinking water will also help minimize the staining effects of ingredients like black tea or dark berries. Of course, don’t forget to keep up a good oral health routine that includes brushing, flossing, and a mouth rinse or oil pulling.
Holistic Dental Care in Prescott, Arizona
If you’re drinking kombucha for its health benefits, you’re probably the type of person who is looking for holistic alternatives to conventional medicine. Did you know that there are holistic options for dental treatments as well?
At Prescott Dentistry, our mission is to provide preventive dental care in a healing environment, using holistic principles that result in lifelong oral health. Come and experience the difference for yourself! Contact us to make an appointment today.
Photo by Tim-Oliver Metz on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 9/04/2024.