You Consume it Daily, But You’re not Aware what it does to your Teeth

The sugar in soda can damage your teeth.However,  sugar is not the only culprit in the soda bottle , and may not even be the most essential one. Other things that play a part in eroding tooth enames are acids and preservatives in soda. Acids also lower the pH of saliva in your mouth. In this way the bacteria can multiply on the surface of the teeth, and can cause erosion. Talk to your dentist about your risk of tooth enamel erosion.

HOW SODA DISTURBS TOOTH ENAMEL

Enamel hardens the outside of your teeth, protecting the dentin and the pulp of the tooth from damage. Saliva has important functions in keeping the tooth enamel strong. According to Mayo Clinic Saliva consists of calcium and phosphate particles that help strengthen tooth enamel.. Soda contains acids such as phosphate and citric acid that weaken the tooth enamel.

ACID EFFECTS

The bacterial plaque can reach the inner layers more easily when the enamel weakens. This is the cause for cavities. Sodas with high sugar content pack a one-two punch; first they weaken the enamel and then the high sugar content in the soda can easily penetrate into the tooth. Diet sodas also weaken tooth enamel. They allow bacteria from other foods to easily destroy the tooth. When the enamel is damaged, teeth look different. They can be translucent around the edges or more yellow, as more dentin shows through the thinning enamel. When chewing or drinking hot or cold liquids, you can feel more pain, tingling or discomfort, If you have less enamel protecting the tooth beneath.

STUDY RESULTS

There are different studies about soda and tooth enamel damage. According to the studies, sodas with the highest sugar content do not always cause the most damage to tooth enamel.  A 2007 “General Dentistry” study showed that root beer, which has a slightly less acidic pH than colas and other non-cola sodas, caused less tooth enamel loss than colas and non-cola soft drinks. But, non-cola drinks were less acidic, but these drinks caused more enamel destruction than colas. A study published in May 2008 showed that sports and energy drinks had higher acidity than soda and could cause more tooth enamel erosion.

PREVENTION

Dentist Dr. Michael Sinkin suggests that you should drink soda through a straw, because it deposits the soda farther back in your mouth, away from your teeth. Wash your mouth out with water when you finish, in order to remove the soda residue. In order to increase saliva output and to raise the pH in your mouth, chew sugarless gum when you finish. After drinking soda do not brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes. According to a German study reported in the September 2003 issue of “The Journal of the American Dental Association,” it is showen that the acid weakens the enamel and brushing too soon can cause further damage

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