THERE ARE QUITE A FEW VARIETIES OF SODA POP—Cherry Coke, Rootbeer, Sprite, Mountain Dew, and Dr. Pepper…However, when it comes down to its effect on your teeth it doesn’t matter which flavor you choose. Sugary sodas are responsible for a huge portion of the nation’s obesity problems, and the acidic sugar byproducts soften your tooth enamel, contributing to more cavities. Dr. Stiles adds, “When your tooth enamel softens, brushing becomes even harder on your teeth, creating an unwanted one/two punch.” Many people often ask us how these statistics relate to sugar free drinks, which only account for around 14% of all soda consumption…Well, they’re less harmful, but they can still cause acidic damage, so they should be limited as well. The amount of soft drinks we consume in the United States increases dramatically each year—especially among the younger generations. At least one in five children consumes a minimum of four servings of pop each day, and some teenagers drink much, much more! Don’t even get us started on college students…In fact, the problem has gotten so bad that the American Academy of Pediatrics has now sounded an alarm about the dangers and suggested better guidelines for helping children create good beverage habits.
So, What Can You Do?
- First off, reduce the amount you drink! Seems obvious, right?
- Find some healthy substitutes that you enjoy.
- Drink water! It will help take away your cravings for soda.
- When you DO drink soft drinks, rinse your mouth out with water when you finish.
- Use fluoride toothpastes and/or mouthwashes.
- Schedule regular dental checkups.
Here at Medford Village Dental Care, we want to do everything we can to help you keep your beautiful smile for life. If you have any questions about different beverages and their effects on your teeth, feel free 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!
