We all know that soda isn’t exactly the best for your health. Many studies have linked soda consumption to obesity, heart disease, and many other problems. Additionally, soda can cause tremendous damage to your teeth. Soda, as well as energy drinks and some juices, are very acidic and can wear down the enamel of the teeth.
Sugar
Sugar reacts with bacteria present in the mouth. This produces additional acid, besides the acid already present in the soda. Excess sugar consumption can do a significant amount of damage to your teeth.
Acid
Soda is an extremely acidic substance. Though some types of soda are slightly less acidic than others, all kinds of soda can result in damage to the teeth. Drinking soda causes an acid attack on your teeth, which typically lasts about 20 minutes. This acid wears out the enamel of your teeth and can even go further and damage the dentin, leading to cavities and tooth decay.
Diet vs Regular Soda
Diet soda helps slightly more than drinking regular soda. It doesn’t have the sugar, which creates that additional acid. However, diet soda is still acidic. Drinking diet soda may cut back on the calorie count, but it doesn’t eliminate the damage to your teeth.
Prevention
The best way to prevent soda causing damage to your teeth is by cutting soda from your diet. If this isn’t something you can do, there are additional things that will help prevent damage to your teeth. Sipping soda over a longer period can cause more damage to your teeth. Every time you sip the soda, the acid attack starts over again. Drinking the soda in one sitting can help limit the damage it does to your teeth.
Using a straw when you drink soda can help keep the acid and sugar away from your teeth. Rinsing your mouth with water after drinking soda can help prevent unnecessary damage.
Soda can cause a significant amount of damage to your teeth. To learn more about how to prevent damage to your teeth, as well as maintain the best oral hygiene possible, contact us at Avenues Dentistry today!