Proper Drinking Straw Usage While Flying

[docfu]

Ok, to make a very long story short:

 

My wife and I and are expecting a baby and in Japan it is a requirement for parents to attend several classes on proper parenting.

 

During the class today we were given a lesson on proper drinking straw usage for babies (and adults). The idea being that you aren't supposed to touch the straw with your tongue or teeth, but only grip and suck the tip of the straw with your lips, pulling any liquid between your teeth and into your mouth.

 

I'm American and my wife is Japanese and neither of us have heard of any studies, medical or otherwise to back this claim up. I spent a while looking on Google and couldn't find anything specific to the location of the straw in the mouth, only that using or not using straws may have health benefits.

 

And now I'd like to ask my fellow pilots who have straw-usage experience:

 

Teeth and Tongue?

 

Or

 

Lips only?

 

Which way do you use a straw while flying? What was the combat scenario you were involved in and were their any casualties, cavities or otherwise in your experience?

[Lizzard]

Teeth and Tongue?

 

Or

 

Lips only?

 

I was asked that several times before...I mostly replied "Lips only Honey"

[Chazz_BMF]

You made my day :lol:

[159th_Viper]

http://www.hospital-data.com/accidents/443-drinking-straws/mouth/index.html

[Suchacz]

I was asked that several times before...I mostly replied "Lips only Honey"

:huh: .........> :megalol::megalol::megalol:

[docfu]

This is actually a legitimate question by the way. I wasn't expecting it to be derailed on the first response. I've never heard you should only use your lips when drinking from a straw.

 

Living in Japan has shown me this culture likes to leave nothing to chance.

[Aginor]

I remember someone telling me only to use the lips when drinking with a straw. That was very very long ago, when I was a kid. Didn't give any explanations though.

[Supersheep]

I know the thesis that drinking straws help maintain the health of the teeth (link below). But that doesn't work really well when using Lips Only I think. If you'd ask me, I'd say the Lips Only Theory is made up unless someone shows me peer-reviewed evidence to the contrary.

 

Can you ask the coach/trainer/instructor (?) about the background?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_straw

[Rotorhead]

This is actually a legitimate question by the way. I wasn't expecting it to be derailed on the first response.

 

Sorry, it's not your fault, but you can kinda expect such replies when asking question like that. It might be just my ignorance, but I've never heard about any right or wrong way of using a drinking straw. Honestly, I haven't ever thought there might be some wrong way of using it. Except sticking it into your throat, eye, nose or any other anatomical opening, that is.

 

...talking about which, note that the link posted by 159th_Viper lists only injuries of the mouth area. I was quite surprised that people are able to hurt themselves with drinking straws not only in their mouths or faces, but literally in any part of their body. And yes, talking about any part, I mean really any part. :music_whistling:

 

Incredible. :no:

[docfu]

I knew it was stupid but I posted it anyway. I figure maybe people would get some kick out of it.

 

Oddly, nobody here has ever heard of this either. We are starting to doubt the credentials of the person who was hosting the parenting class...

[Scarecrow]

I share the concerns of the Japanese Health Advisory Board it would seem, as I use the lips only approach to straw use. I take this as a good omen :D

[Supersheep]

I observed myself while in a cocktail bar last Saturday (Pina Colada yay!) and funny enough, I too used lips only (hey, stop that - I didn't switch after we left the place!). But since I only noticed after the fact, I think that had more to do with the geometry of the straw and the glass than with any health concerns...

[Griffin]

First world problems. :D

[Gerg]

You could probably break teeth if biting a hard straw and someone nudges your arm or etc etc.

[Supersheep]

That could also happen when you have it between your lips (only) and somehow your arm gets poked... (Arrgh painful image in mind - I disgust having aching teeth!)

[camsr]

Amylase is the enzyme found in saliva that digests sugars. Make sure some makes it's way around your teeth, and the cavity causing sugar will wash away. :thumbup:

[lunaticfringe]

Real men drink from glasses, even in the cockpit.

 

 

Or out of a bottle.

 

http://www.milaircomms.com/audio/f15cokebottle.mp3

[Speed]

Sorry, I can't tell you how to suck, but researchers at BYU can tell you how to urinate.

 

Keep your ears open, because next week, researchers at the University of Alabama are scheduled to release the results of a 10-year study on how to read.