Shalini Passi is all over the internet after the release of the third season of the Fabulous Lives vs. Bollywood Wives. People are finding it hard to look away from Shalini and her ideologies. While her opulent lifestyle has captured viewers’ attention, a few references on the show have especially gone viral.
During one of the dinner scenes, Passi was seen drinking her champagne with a straw, to which Seema Kiran Sajdeh asked why is she doing this. Responding to her, Passi said, “I don’t want it to be touching my teeth. I don’t want my enamel getting spoiled.” This scene got many of the people thinking whether drinking beverages with a straw is actually strange or does it really protect teeth? Let’s find out from an expert.
Dr Shubhankar Mehrotra, Proprietor and Resident Dentist, Orcadent Gurugram, said, “Alcohol can have a few negative effects on your mouth. It tends to dry it out because it slows down saliva production. Saliva helps protect your teeth by washing away bacteria, so with less saliva, there’s a higher risk of cavities. Also, just like energy drinks and sodas, alcohol can wear down the enamel, the hard outer layer of your teeth.” This is why drinking too much can lead to enamel erosion, making teeth weak, sensitive, and more likely to stain. Alcohol can also cause acid reflux, which can further damage the enamel.
Meanwhile, a 2015 study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that various non-alcoholic drinks can lead to tooth erosion. The drinks tested as a part of this study included Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola light, Sprite, apple juice, Red Bull, orange juice, Bonaqua Fruits, tap water, swimming pool water, and lemon juice. The teeth were immersed in these liquids for 7 days at body temperature. The results showed that lemon juice was the most erosive, followed by Sprite, apple juice, and orange juice.
Turns out, Shalini was right! Drinking beverages with a straw does help is moving away the liquid from the front teeth. It also minimised contact with staining agents like coffee, tea, and red wine.
However, it is important to note that using a straw doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of staining, as the liquid can still come into contact with the back teeth.
