If you’re like up to half the American population, you’ve probably had a sugary drink today — and there’s a good chance it was soda. Consuming high-sugar soft drinks is most commonly associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and weight gain.
Sodas can also have ill effects on your smile, potentially leading to cavities and visible tooth decay. Men are usually more likely to drink soda and sugary drinks. Teenagers drink sodas the most and get about 273 calories from them per day. That number falls only slightly in their 20s and 30s. The sugars soda contains interact with bacteria in your mouth to form acid. This attacks your teeth. Regular and sugar-free sodas contain their own acids, and these attack the teeth too. With every swig of soda, you’re starting a damaging reaction that lasts about 20 minutes. If you sip on a soda all day, your teeth are basically under constant attack.
The Two Main Effects
There are two main effects on your teeth when drinking soda: erosion and cavities.Erosion
Erosion of the teeth begins when the soda’s acids encounter the tooth enamel, the outermost protective layer on your teeth. This reduces the surface hardness of the enamel.
Sports drinks and fruit juices can also damage enamel, but they stop there.
Cavities
Soft drinks can also affect the next layer, the dentin, and even composite fillings. This damage to your enamel invites cavities. Cavities develop over time in people who drink soft drinks regularly. Throw in poor oral hygiene, and a lot of damage can occur to the teeth.
Prevent the damage
Kicking the soda habit isn’t easy. However, there are things you can do to lessen the risk of damaging your teeth.
- Moderation Limit yourself to one soft drink each day. One will do enough damage.
- Be quick The longer you take to drink a soft drink, the more time it has to wreak havoc on your dental health.
- Use a straw This helps keep the damaging acids and sugars away from your teeth.
- Rinse your mouth Flushing your mouth with water after drinking soda will help wash away remaining sugars and acids.
- No soft drinks before bedtime The sugar and acid will have all night to attack your teeth, apart from keeping you up late.
- Get regular cleanings Regular checkups and exams will help identify and treat problems before they worsen.