We know you’ve heard it before: soda is terrible for your teeth.
Dentists, tv commercials, and parents have all told us something along these lines, and it’s pretty straightforward in its notion. But do you truly understand the WHY behind it?
Whether you call it soda, pop, or soft drinks, it can deliver a hard blow to your teeth and oral health. Drinking soda can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and even gum disease. But what you may not realize is that the sugar in these drinks is not alone the cause of damage.
Let’s Break It Down:
When you drink soda, it sticks to your teeth and gums. The bacteria in your mouth essentially ‘hyper-feeds’ on this condensed amount of sugar and creates acid, which can erode the enamel that protects your teeth. Even worse, soda is also very acidic in its own right, which, combined with the acid produced from bacteria, creates an all-out acid war in your mouth.
Every sip of soda = 20 minutes of extreme acid attack in your mouth.
But asking you to stop drinking soda altogether isn’t realistic. Our goal is to help you enjoy life while also being smart and safe. Here are some quick tips to help reduce potential harm to your oral health.
- Drink soda in moderation. Try to limit the amount of soda you drink each day.
- Rinse your mouth with water after drinking soda. Taking a drink of water immediately afterwards will help wash away the soda’s sugars and acids.
- Use a straw. This will help keep the sugar and acids from the soda away from your teeth.
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Both of these practices will help in strengthening the enamel on your teeth and preventing bacterial growth.
- Visit your dentist regularly. You can prevent tooth decay with regular checkups.
Whether you’re an avid soda drinker or not, the sugar content will wear down your teeth enamel over time. While going completely cold turkey with soda drinking may not be possible, working on minimizing the amount consumed while also practicing additional safety precautions will go a long way in lessening the likelihood of tooth damage. Ask us at your next checkup for additional ways that will help protect your oral health!