Friday,
May 9, 2025 - Reaching for a straw
might seem like a small, mindless habit—but dental experts say it could be
doing more good than you think.
According to Dr. Silas Kinyua, a
senior dental specialist at Kenyatta National Hospital, sipping sugary or
acidic beverages through a straw can significantly reduce their contact with
your teeth, lowering the risk of cavities and enamel erosion.
“It minimizes the exposure of
your tooth surfaces to damaging sugars and acids,” he says, urging moderation
in the intake of such drinks.
When sugary beverages like soda
feed mouth bacteria, they create acids that wear away enamel, leading to decay.
While avoiding such drinks
altogether is ideal, Dr. Kinyua recommends using a straw as a practical buffer.
Another interesting perk?
Using straws can help prevent
teeth staining.
Daily favorites like coffee, tea,
red wine, and cola are known culprits for discoloration - but using a straw
helps keep these pigments away from your pearly whites.
To make the most of these
benefits, it is recommendable to keep a reusable straw handy.
Options now come in eco-friendly
materials such as stainless steel, bamboo, silicone, titanium, and even glass.
However, while experts warn that metal
and glass straws may cause dental injuries if mishandled, especially by kids, their
health and environmental benefits make them a smart lifestyle switch.
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