The carbonated sweetness of a cold soda is hard to resist, especially when paired with a hot day or warm burger. But on the health and nutrition scoreboard, sodas are such a negative that it’s hard to figure more than the occasional splurge of soda into your diet.
One of the negatives of drinking soda is that it can damage your teeth due to the dual effects of acid and sugar. Today’s blog from Parkcrest Dental Group explains why soda is so horrible for your oral hygiene routine.
Sugar
Sugar can cause cavities, which isn’t a secret. But do you know how this works? When sugar comes in contact with the teeth, the bacteria in the mouth begin to feast. When they break down sugars, bacteria produce acids that erode the surface of teeth. It is the acid that causes the breakdown as it eats away tooth enamel.
Many sodas are loaded with sugar. So, does that mean diet sodas without sugar are okay?
No.
Acids
Many sodas get their bubbliness from carbonic acid (hence the word “carbonation”). Sodas also contain phosphoric or citric acids, both of which give sodas a tangy or fruity flavor. These acids simply help create a more acidic environment in your mouth, which breaks down enamel and also makes a better environment for bacterial growth.
Bacteria, like the ones that feast on sugar, THRIVE in an acidic environment as they grow. That’s why the most effective toothpastes and mouthrinses help create an alkaline (the opposite of acidic) environment to try to destroy any bacteria in your mouth in addition to washing them out of your mouth and removing them.
Prevent Permanent Damage
The scary thing is that corrosive damage to your teeth’s enamel is irreversible. Tooth enamel is not like the skin or soft tissues of the mouth, as they will grow back after minor damage. When tooth enamel disappears, it does not regenerate. Some early signs of tooth erosion include tooth sensitivity to heat and cold, while long-term effects include turning teeth yellow or black as the white enamel wears away.
Oral Hygiene Tips From Parkcrest Dental Group
The next time you look at cold, sugary drinks in a glass cooler in a convenience store, think that most of them will corrode the enamel on your teeth. If you want to keep your teeth strong and keep the enamel white, please drink a bottle of water or milk instead. Your friends here at Parkcrest Dental will thank you…and so will your teeth!
