WE MAY ALL REFER TO IT AS SOMETHING DIFFERENT—soda, pop, soda pop, soft drinks… But it’s all the same thing when it comes to the effect it has on your teeth. Sugary sodas have not only served up a portion of the nation’s obesity problems, but the acidic sugar byproducts and acids soften your tooth enamel, further contributing to cavities. Dr. Brei reminds us that when your tooth enamel gets softer, it makes brushing even harder on your teeth; creating an unwanted one/two punch. Of course we all know about sugar free drinks, but are they actually any more helpful when it comes to your teeth? The truth is, sugar free drinks only account for around 14% of total soda consumption, so the benefits aren’t really being used by much of the population. And while they are less harmful in terms of sugar, damaged can still be caused by the acidic nature of the drinks. The amount of soft drinks we consume in the United States continues to increase dramatically—especially among teenagers and children. The problem is becoming so bad that the American Academy of Pediatrics is now sounding an alarm about the dangers, and suggesting better guidelines for helping children create good beverage habits. Studies show that at least one in five children consumes a minimum of four servings of pop each day! Some teenages drink much, much more. And college students often study and/or socialize for hours on end bathing their teeth in soft drinks.
So, What Can You Do?
- Reduce the amount you drink. Seems obvious, right?
- Do this by adding alternatives to your soda consumption in each day.
- Drink more water. It will help take away your cravings for soda.
- When you DO drink soda pop, rinse your mouth with water when you finish.
- Use fluoride toothpastes and/or mouth rinses.
- Don’t forget to schedule regular dental checkups.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CQbBJl12AY&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0] Here at Dr. Brei’s office, we want to do everything we can to help you keep your beautiful smile for life. If you have questions about different beverages and their effect on your teeth, be sure to ask us. We love talking to you, our valued patients, about your oral health. And don’t forget to join us on Facebook and Twitter for more discussions about your dental comfort, heatlh, and appearance. We look forward to your next visit!
