There’s no denying it: kids and adults love soda. According to the CDC, about one-half of the U.S. population consumes sugar drinks every day, with consumption of soda in the United States increasing over the last 30 years among both children and adults. Not only are sugary drinks like soda linked to health concerns such obesity and type 2 diabetes, they’re also linked to poor dental health.
If you are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, you could cause even more problems in regards to staining of your teeth and damage to your hardware.
That’s because sugar can attack the teeth and gums, leading to decay, if not washed out right away. It can also erode the enamel on your teeth, which you can never get back once it’s gone. In fact, says Live Science, sodas (even diet ones) are nearly as corrosive on dental enamel as battery acid! Most people know sodas aren’t good for their sugar intake and their waist lines, but few realize the impact on their teeth. Soft drinks can erode the teeth 10 times more than fruit juices can – in only the first few minutes of drinking, according to the latest research. That’s because sodas contain citric and/or phosphoric acid.
Acidity is one main component of soda that’s bad for you. Your mouth has a natural pH of 7.0, akin to water. Anything higher is alkaline and anything lower is acidic. Cola has a pH, for example, of about 2.50. This acidity wears away at the natural protector of your teeth: enamel. When enamel is weakened, bacteria get set to pounce.
Sugar is another big component of soda, with just one can of cola containing up to 40 grams of sugar. Bacteria happen to love sugar and need it to grow and thrive. When that bacteria is allowed to stay on the teeth, it can fester, and encourage bacteria and the formation of cavities. Of course, drinking water over soda would be best, but even coffee and tea are favorable over soda. Yes, black coffee can stain your teeth but it doesn’t contain natural sugars and has a pH of 5.5, which is much closer to your mouth’s natural pH. You may think you’re doing a good thing by drinking diet sodas, but even those still contain acid – actually more than regular sodas!
Your best bet is to cut out drinking soda altogether, not just for your teeth but for your waist line and overall health as well. But if you absolutely must drink a soda, drink it through a straw to minimize contact with the teeth and lower the risk of cavities. Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after drinking soda, as you could scrub the acid into your teeth and cause more damage. Wait a little bit or simply rinse your mouth out well with water before you brush.
Drs. Savage, Sabol & Visser, members of the American association of Orthodontists, want to help you and your kids avoid the decay that can come with the consumption of too many soft drinks. One way to combat that is to schedule a dental visit every six months.
