What the doc says: Not all straws contain BPA, but it’s impossible to tell because straws aren’t stamped with a recycling code, says Karin B. Michels, ScD, PhD, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School’s School of Public Health. Those with the number 7 carry BPA. But you can make an educated guess: “The harder and more durable the plastic straw is, the more likely it is that it has BPA,” she explains. Thin, soft plastic, on the other hand, is always BPA-free. What the dentist says: Drinking from a straw is the best way to keep your teeth bright, cup after cup. Coffee is one of the most common causes of less-than-pearly whites, and it’s not the easiest to fix. “This is the type of stain that actually penetrates the surface of the tooth,” says Arnold Tyrangel, DDS, a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry who practices at Great Neck & Mid-Island Dental Associates in Great Neck, New York. “You’d have to get an in-office whitening treatment to correct it.” The bottom line: Call us crazy, but if you want the best of both worlds, a stainless steel straw—or chilled coffee—is the way to go. You can find inexpensive versions at home goods stores, like Sur La Table ($15 for a set of 6; surlatable.com) or Williams Sonoma ($13 for a set of 4; williams-sonoma.com). “Even if it’s BPA-free plastic, straws probably leach something else,” Dr. Michels says. “Plastic and heat never really mix well—it’s safest to avoid drinking hot liquids using plastic straws altogether.” MORE: Your Body On Coffee (Infographic)
