Trinity Dental Care Logo

What Soda Really Does To Your Teeth

Jul 31, 2018
Soft Drinks And Your Teeth It is estimated that 50 percent of people in America have at least one soda per day. Sodas are one of the worst things for your health. They have been linked to a number of health problems including weight gain & type 2 diabetes

Soft Drinks And Your Teeth

It is estimated that 50 percent of people in America have at least one soda per day. Sodas are one of the worst things for your health. They have been linked to a number of health problems including weight gain and type 2 diabetes.

Sodas can also ruin your smile. Every time that you take a sip of a soda, you do damage to your teeth. Soda triggers a reaction that can last for up to 20 minutes. This means that if you are drinking soda all day, then you are constantly doing damage to your teeth. Cosmetic Dentistry may be needed to undo any damage that is done to your teeth by soda.

How Soda Damages Your Teeth

Enamel Erosion

Sodas are acidic. When the acid from the soda combines with the bacteria from your mouth, it can create another acid that damages your enamel. This effect will last for about 20 minutes. Frequent acid attacks will weaken your enamel and cause it to erode. Sodas are even worse for kids and teens. The tooth enamel does not completely develop until you adulthood.

Many people turn to diet sodas because they think that they are a healthier choice. Even though diet sodas do not have any sugar, they are still bad for you. Diet sodas are still acidic. In fact, researchers have found that diet sodas can do just as much damage to your teeth as regular soda.

The enamel is not the only part of your tooth that can be damaged by sodas. A soda can eventually affect the next layer of your tooth, which is the dentin. This can make your teeth more sensitive, which can make drinking and eating more difficult. If you have a receding gum line, then sodas can do even more damage to your teeth. Furthermore, it is important to remember that once enamel is lost, there is not anything that you can do to get it back.

Cavities

Sodas greatly increase your risk of developing cavities. You may not notice the signs of a cavity unless it is a large one. That is why it is important to visit a dentist on a regular basis.

Tooth Stains

Even if you get teeth whitening , your teeth will develop stains if you drink sodas all of the time. Sodas have dark compounds that can be absorbed by your teeth. When the enamel absorbs these compounds, yellow and brown discoloration can result.

Holding Soda in Your Mouth

The way that you drink soda can cause sodas to have an even worse impact on your teeth. If you hold the soft drink in your mouth instead of swallowing it immediately, then it will become more acidic. The reason that soda becomes more acidic once it is in your mouth is because its temperature increases.

How to Minimize The Damage Done by Sodas

Any family dentist will tell you that it is best to avoid drinking sodas completely. However, soda drinking is a hard habit to break. If you have a hard time kicking the habit, then there are some things that you can do in order to protect your teeth.

Use a Straw

It is a good idea to drink any beverage through a straw. When you drink through a straw, you minimize the amount of beverage that comes in contact with your teeth. Your teeth will be exposed to less sugar and acid.

Try Less Acidic Beverages

Even if you do not want to eliminate sodas completely, you will need to reduce your intake of them. There are other less acidic choices that you can try. Herbal tea and water are such better alternatives to sodas. Limit your intake of fruit juices because they can be just as acidic and sugary as sodas.

Do not drink Soda Before You go to Bed

You never want to drink a soda right before you go to bed. The beverage will pool in your mouth. Your teeth will be coated with sugar and acid, which will lead to tooth decay.

Drink Water After Having a Soda

You can minimize the effects that a soda has on your teeth by drinking water right after you have one. The water will dilute the sugar and acid in the soda.

Eat Healthy Foods

An overall healthy diet will minimize the effects that soda has on your teeth. You will need to eat foods that are high in vitamin D, calcium and phosphorous. Calcium strengthens your teeth. Vitamin D helps absorb phosphorous and calcium. Yogurt, cheese, fortified milk, broccoli, garlic and cashews are some of the best foods for your teeth.

Brush and Floss Regularly

A good dental care regimen is one of the keys to keeping your teeth healthy. Brushing and flossing helps remove plaque and bacteria from your mouth.

Cosmetic Dentist

Professional dental care will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you have cavities or enamel damage, then these problems are a lot easier to correct if they are detected early. A cosmetic dentist, such as Trinity Dental Care can also perform a teeth whitening treatment, which will restore your teeth.