Although they make a nice treat, sodas combine two elements that damage teeth: sugar and acids. If you’re wondering why is soda bad for your teeth, read on to learn more about soda and teeth, and how to reduce or prevent the damage done by these popular drinks.
Preventing Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
One of the main areas of concern for your dentist when it comes to soda is its effects on your oral health, such as tooth decay and gum disease. There is already plenty of sugar in the foods and snacks that most people eat on a daily basis. Sodas just add to the burden of sugar already present in our lives.
Having said that, many people are simply unwilling to give up their tasty sodas. Fortunately, there are some ways to reduce the risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease when you drink sodas.
How does your dentist know that you drink soda?
Soda is just one of those things that leaves telltale marks for those who know what to look for. For example, you may previously had a lot of dental work done. Or you may currently be in the process of scheduling dental treatment. A dentist can also detect signs of soda consumption if you have a good deal of teeth erosion or white spot lesions or white areas on your tooth enamel.
What does soda do to your teeth?
Soda combines two different things that harm teeth in a synergistic way: sugar and acids. The higher levels of sugar found in these drinks can cause oral bacteria to multiply and more rapidly form plaque – a sticky biofilm that irritates gum tissue, eventually leading to gingivitis.
As if soda wasn’t dangerous enough, it normally contains high levels of acids that can eat away at your tooth enamel and irritate the gums surrounding and supporting your teeth. And when some of the outer layer of the teeth is lost to erosion caused by acidity, the teeth are all the more vulnerable to tooth decay since they have lost some of their outer, protective layer.
Tips for Soda Drinkers
If you just can’t live without your daily soda, there are still some ways that you can prevent or mitigate its damaging effects on your teeth.
- Consume sodas only in moderation.
- Drink water after having a soda to balance pH levels.
- Sip through a straw so that soda has less of an opportunity to damage your teeth.
- Drink sodas quickly and avoid sipping on them throughout the day to prevent the overgrowth of cavity-causing bacteria.
Thanks for your support!
– Dr. Houlik
RELATED POSTS:
