Why cant drink from straw? If you are interested in learning more about this topic, we invite you to read this article from humanhealthmag.
What is a drinking straw?
Before explain why cant drink from straw, it is better to know that a drinking straw is a tool that makes it easier and healthier to drink various thin and thick liquids such as juice, soda, shakes, etc. in restaurants, cafes, etc. Today, straws are used in various materials such as plastic, glass, bamboo, metal, etc. The most widely used of them are plastic straws. It is estimated that more than 500 million plastic straws are consumed in the world every day.
History of Straws
Humans have been using drinking straws for thousands of years. The history of drinking straws dates back to 3000 BC, when the Sumerians used gold pipes to drink barley beer. In the 19th century, people used wheat stalks as drinking straws. Paper straws were invented in 1888, and plastic drinking straws gradually became popular after 1970.
Today, drinking straws are used more than you think. Between 170 million and 490 million straws are used every day in the United States. Straws make drinking liquids easier and more hygienic, and they also help people with physical disabilities eat more easily. However, using straws is not always good and can have detrimental effects on health and the environment over time.
Is Drinking Through a Straw Better or Worse for Your Health?
Cant drink from straw? When it comes to summer and cold drinks, plastic straws come to mind. From lemonade to milkshakes, we are used to using plastic straws to drink these delicious drinks. Some say that drinking with a straw is much more convenient, while others say that it even improves the taste of the drink.
But did you know that straws can cause your lips to wrinkle quickly, just like cigarettes? Why do dentists tell you not to use a straw? Contrary to popular belief, straws are not effective in maintaining healthy teeth and keeping them white. If your goal with using a straw is to protect your teeth, we have some sad news for you. Because straws are not as effective in protecting your teeth as you think. In fact, depending on how you use them, some of your teeth may be more damaged.
For a straw to truly protect your teeth, most of it needs to be inside your mouth and go straight down your throat without ever touching your teeth. Of course, this type of drink can even cause you to choke. At the same time, it makes you not feel the taste of the drink you are drinking at all.
Using a plastic straw causes more gas to accumulate in the intestines and can lead to conditions such as bloating. When a drink is consumed with a straw, more air enters the body than when drinking directly from a glass. As you can see, straws do not have as many aesthetic effects on our bodies as they seem. At the same time, straws are considered one of the most important causes of bloating and abdominal pain.
Straws increase the risk of many cancers, especially oral cancer, due to the materials they are made of. As you know, straws are made of a material called plastic and contain a lot of synthetic substances. As everyone knows, these substances make our bodies weaker against cancer.
Pros and Cons of Drinking with a Straw
Pros
Is it better to drink with a straw or without a straw? Using a drinking straw has its own benefits, including:
- Children, sick and disabled people who are unable to hold a glass in their hands can easily use a straw to drink all kinds of liquids.
- Sometimes the teeth become sensitive, usually by consuming hot and cold drinks, the patient feels discomfort and tingling of the teeth. In this case, using a straw can minimize the contact between the drink and the teeth and help improve the sensitivity in the coming days.
- Some juices such as orange juice and lemonade and carbonated drinks such as sodas and energy drinks contain acidic substances that damage the teeth and can weaken and destroy tooth enamel in the long run.
- Some juices such as orange juice and lemonade and carbonated drinks such as sodas and energy drinks contain acidic substances that damage the teeth and can weaken and destroy tooth enamel in the long run.
- The sugar in sweet drinks is very harmful to teeth and is the main cause of tooth decay. When you use a straw, sugary substances will have minimal contact with your teeth, especially the front teeth.
- Soft drink cans are exposed to all kinds of germs during transportation and handling, and when your lips come into contact with the surface of the can; there is a possibility of bacteria entering your mouth. Also, if you use a glass, the restaurant glasses may not have been washed well or even the disposable glasses may be contaminated with germs.
Cons
Despite its many benefits for oral health, excessive use of straws may cause the following:
- Since the lips shrink when using straws, over time, if there is no skin routine, it may cause wrinkles around the lips.
- Although using straws protects the front teeth from damage caused by sugar and acid, it may also cause damage to the back teeth.
- When using straws, some air may enter the digestive tract along with the drink, causing bloating.
- Today, the most commonly used straws in cafes and restaurants are disposable plastic straws. So that millions of straws enter nature every day. It is clear that the introduction of this volume of plastic harms the environment and animals.
Why cant drink from straw?
Why cant drink from straw? There can be several reasons why a person might struggle to drink from a straw. Conditions like muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, or stroke can weaken the muscles needed for sucking. Nerve damage, often associated with diseases like Parkinson’s, can also affect the coordination required for this action. Additionally, oral motor difficulties, dental issues, or certain medications can make it challenging to create the necessary suction.
Beyond medical conditions, other factors can make drinking from a straw difficult. Dental problems, such as missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures, can hinder the creation of a proper seal around the straw. Moreover, certain medications can cause dry mouth, making it challenging to generate the necessary suction. Additionally, individuals with developmental disabilities may face challenges due to oral motor difficulties.
Concluding Remarks
Cant drink from straw! We talked about it in this article from humanhealthmag. If you have specific problems where using straws is a great help to your health, you should definitely use them; but other people should avoid using straws when not necessary or use paper straws or metal straws instead of plastic straws.
Frequentiy Asked Questions
Why Can’t I Drink from a Straw?
There are many reasons why it can be difficult to drink from a straw. These reasons may include muscle weakness in the mouth and throat, nerve damage, dental problems, certain medical conditions such as stroke or multiple sclerosis, and even side effects of certain medications.
What Conditions Can Make It Difficult to Drink from a Straw?
Conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, and certain muscle diseases can affect a person’s ability to drink from a straw. These conditions can cause muscle weakness, poor coordination of the muscles in the mouth and throat, and nerve problems, all of which affect the ability to suck and swallow.