Art collector and socialite Shalini Pasi, best known for her appearance in Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, sparked curiosity when she shared her unique way to protect her teeth from damage while enjoying her favorite drink. .

Pasi, who drinks champagne with a straw, said she does so because her friends use veneers and she wants her natural teeth to remain intact. Dental veneers are custom-made shells that fit over the tooth like enamel.

One reason for wearing veneers is to protect the teeth from enamel erosion caused by drinking too many acidic beverages.

But does sipping through a straw really protect your teeth?

According to dental expert Dr. Vibhakar Ranjan, using straws with carbonated beverages like soda or champagne can help reduce contact between these acidic beverages and the front teeth, which may slightly reduce enamel erosion. Is.

“Carbonated beverages like champagne, wine and soda have a high pH and are acidic by nature,” Dr. Ranjan explains. “Using a straw keeps these drinks from directly touching the front teeth, primarily the incisors, which helps reduce enamel erosion and, in turn, reduces the risk of cavities.”

Dr. Ranjan also highlights an additional benefit: Drinking through a straw may reduce tooth discoloration, especially on the front teeth, which are most visible when you smile. Perhaps this is why Pasi, who loves a bright smile, chooses this strategy to protect her teeth.

In an Instagram post, Dr. Reshma Shah and Dr. Sagar Shah revealed that as “enamel wears away, teeth become more susceptible to temperature sensitivity. By drinking through a straw, you are exposing vulnerable areas of your teeth to “, thereby reducing the risk of sensitivity.”

However, Dr Ranjan cautioned that using straws is not a perfect solution. “Using straws can reduce the effects of carbonated drinks, but not eliminate them completely. Once the drink mixes with saliva, it can still come in contact with the teeth,” he said.

In other words, although a straw may help, it won’t completely prevent acidic drinks from affecting your teeth.

Additionally, Dr. Ranjan pointed out a lesser-known harm of repeated straw use: “Over time, placing a straw between the lips can lead to ‘smoker’s lips’ – the repeated contraction of This causes wrinkles to form around the mouth.”

Dr. Ranjan’s advice? Instead of relying solely on a straw, he suggested limiting carbonated beverages to once a week and consuming them in limited quantities to protect teeth and overall health.