5 facts on how soft drinks attacks your teeth and how can you protect them Written By: Dr. Ankita Shah, April 2020
In today’s time and age it has become a daily habit of consuming soft drinks, carbonated drinks and bottled juices especially amongst teenagers and young adults. It’s no secret that soft drinks and carbonated drinks can damage teeth. The acids and sugars present in these drinks damage teeth to a much greater extent than what a fresh fruit juice would do.
2 MAIN EFFECTS OF SOFT DRINKS ON YOUR TEETH
The acids and sugars in these drinks cause erosion and cavities in teeth. Erosion begins when the acids tend to reduce the protective enamel layer of the tooth. This makes the tooth extremely prone to decay as the sugar in these drinks is the food for bacteria. Each time you take a sip of that soda, these attacks keep on continuing every 15-20 mins leading to tooth decay.
HOW CAN YOU TEST IT AT HOME?
You can actually test the effect of soft drinks on teeth by doing this simple experiment at home. Leave a hard boiled egg in a glass of soda or cola overnight. Not only will the egg be stained, but the acid in the soda will completely dissolve the shell. This suggests us how the soda eats away the protective enamel layer. Half a liter of soda contains atleast 4 tablespoons of sugar. This is where the second attack starts leading to tooth decay.
IS DIET SODA BETTER?
Sugar isn’t the only threat to tooth decay. The main culprit even in diet sodas and flavored waters is the acid content. The acids commonly found in these drinks are citric, carbonic and phosphoric acids. Infact the sugar free drinks have a much higher acid content than regular soda. Even regular soda like sports drinks and energy drinks contain high amounts of acid and sugar which leads to tooth erosion and decay. Your dental health is all the more affected when you sip on them throughout the day.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO SOFT DRINKS?
Your best bet is of course water, coffee, tea and fresh fruit juices. If you feel like having a fizzy drink try opt for a drink with less acid content like a root beer and try not to sip on them for longer hours.
HOW TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE TEETH?
However, measures can be taken to prevent and reduce tooth decay.
Drink soda in moderation
Do not sip soda for longer hours
Use a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth
Rinse your mouth with water after drinking
Drink plenty of water
Wait for atleast an hour before you brush your teeth after soda consumption
Consume dairy foods to neutralize the acids
Visit the dentist regularly
It is especially important for children with braces to avoid these drinks as they are highly prone to erosion. The enamel is still not well developed in early childhood and teenage. Soda also causes the teeth to stain which becomes visible after the braces are removed.
Staying hydrated is critical to overall health. This doesn’t mean you should never drink soda. Just remember this slogan “Sip All Day, Get Decay” which is literally the truth! Infact drinking in moderation and using other healthier alternatives may represent no harm at all.
It’s never too late to make healthy choices!
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