FAQ

The Real Downsides of Metal Straws

What are the downsides of using metal straws?

Three that are real. Metal carries temperature, so a straw in an iced drink is cold on your lips and one in hot coffee takes a moment before it is comfortable. Metal is hard, so it can knock against your teeth, which matters more if you have veneers, crowns, or sensitive enamel. And you cannot see inside it, so cleaning is something you do on schedule rather than when it looks dirty. Everything else people list is either solvable or made up.

Do metal straws change the taste of your drink?

Some people notice a faint metallic note, most do not, and it fades with use. What is more often mistaken for a taste problem is a cleaning problem: a straw that carried coffee yesterday and was not brushed will make today's water taste like yesterday's coffee. If a metal straw tastes like anything, brush it before blaming the steel.

Are metal straws bad for your teeth?

They are hard, and hard things against teeth are worth thinking about. The risk is not sipping — it is biting down, or a knock when you set a cup down too fast. If you have veneers, crowns, or a history of chipped enamel, that is a real consideration and silicone is the safer material for you. For most people, ordinary use is not the problem; chewing on it is.

See how metal compares to each alternative directly: metal vs bamboo, metal vs glass, and metal vs silicone.