Soda can be a refreshing treat, especially during the hot summer months. Plus, it is nice that so many sugar-free sodas are available; they taste better than ever, and they are great if you want to watch your calorie intake. But how could soda affect your dental health? In this blog post, you will learn how both diet and regular soda might endanger your smile.
Regular Soda
There is no doubt that regular soda can increase your chances of tooth decay and enamel erosion. It tends to be very high in sugar. In fact, a regular 12oz can has about 10 teaspoons of the sweet stuff! Sugar interacts with bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to the formation of plaque, an acidic biofilm that can wear away at tooth enamel and eventually cause cavities.
Soda also tends to be acidic, meaning that it can erode your enamel and lead to the formation of small lesions, which may eventually turn into cavities. Acid can also lead to increased dental sensitivity due to thinning enamel.
Is Diet Soda Any Better?
Diet soda uses aspartame, stevia, or other sugar substitutes instead of corn syrup or regular cane sugar. Therefore, you do not have to worry about sugar leading to plaque formation.
However, that does not mean you can go wild with diet soda. It is still highly acidic, so it can play a major role in weakening your tooth enamel and contributing to cavities.
Tips to Protect Your Dental Health
Whether you prefer diet soda or regular soda, you should not feel like you have to completely abstain from your favorite fizzy beverages. But you should take steps to minimize soda’s impact on your smile:
- Limit your intake: If possible, limit your soda intake to just a few cans each week. If you drink it daily, try to have just one can.
- Drink it quickly: Try to finish your soda in one short sitting, rather than sipping on it periodically throughout the day. This reduces the amount of time that your teeth are exposed to harmful acids.
- Drink through a straw: This minimizes the contact between the liquid and your teeth.
- Rinse afterward: Sip on some water to wash away any lingering sugars or acids.
- Keep up with oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, which can help to remineralize your enamel. However, make sure that you do not brush within 30 – 60 minutes after drinking soda (soda temporarily softens your enamel, so you need to wait to brush until it hardens again).
- Eat a balanced diet: A healthy diet can include almost all foods and drinks in moderation, but it should contain mostly nutrient-dense foods. Calcium and vitamin D are particularly beneficial for dental health.
Soda is not doing your teeth any favors. If you choose to drink it, implement some safety precautions to keep your smile in good shape.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Zac Young is a highly accomplished dentist and a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. Under his leadership, our team offers a broad range of services, including preventive and restorative care. To learn more about us or to request an appointment, contact Revival Dentistry in Palos Heights at 708-448-4161.