[image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”right” alt=”Soda, pop, or whatever you prefer to call them, soft drinks are bad news for your teeth. With some teenagers drinking as many as twelve sodas in a day, soft drinks are harming your teeth and your wallet. Image Courtesy of taliesin.morguefile | Irvine Dentist Neda Khodai, Barranca Dental – An Irvine Tradition of Dental Excellence” title=”Soda, pop, or whatever you prefer to call them, soft drinks are bad news for your teeth. With some teenagers drinking as many as twelve sodas in a day, soft drinks are harming your teeth and your wallet. Image Courtesy of taliesin.morguefile | Irvine Dentist Neda Khodai, Barranca Dental – An Irvine Tradition of Dental Excellence” width=”220″ height=”150″]https://www.barrancadental.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/file000456046048.jpg[/image_frame]

Soda, pop, or whatever you prefer to call them, soft drinks are bad news for your teeth. Soft drink consumption is on the rise worldwide, and especially in the United States among children and teenagers. The American Academy of Pediatrics is alarmed by the trend, and their research shows that more than eighty percent of school-age children consume at least one soda a day, and over twenty percent drink more than four. Sources say that some teenagers drink as many as twelve soft drinks in a day! Everybody knows that sodas are full of sugar, and that sugar can lead to cavities and other oral issues, but just how bad are sodas for your teeth? Read on to learn more.

Sugar/Sweeteners and your Teeth

High sugar consumption is one of the leading causes of cavities. The bacteria that lives on your teeth (plaque) usually consumes the sugar that reaches your teeth via your food, and when exposed to the concentrated levels in soda it will reproduced quickly, leading to tooth decay. Popular sodas contain as much as 16 teaspoons of sugar per twenty ounces (600ml), and popular energy drinks can be as high as 20 teaspoons. For comparison sake, if you piled that much sugar next to your iPhone, it would be about the same size.

Artificial sweeteners found in many diet sodas aren’t better off. While they may have a lower calorie count on the can, they still provide fuel to the bacteria on your teeth which cause cavities.

Sodas Are Sticky

If you have ever spilled a soda then you know that if you do not clean it quickly that there will soon be a sticky mess that is nearly impossible to get up. The same is true for your teeth. If you consume a soft drink it will soon bind to your teeth, and the acidic properties of soft drinks when combined with their vast sugar content will quickly lead to tooth decay. While washing your mouth with water or brushing shortly after soft drink consumption will help to alleviate the problem, the best defense is to skip the pop.

Soft Drink Acid Content

Studies have found that most sodas can be as corrosive to your dental enamel as battery acid. The acidic properties of soda can be over ten times that of the most acidic fruit juices, and research by the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine has found that with just 48 hours worth of exposure you can lose five percent of your dental enamel. The Academy of General Dentistry spokesman Kenton Ross stated that “the bottom line is that the acidity in all soft drinks is enough to damage your teeth and should be avoided.”

What Can You Do?

Not drinking soda is a great first step, but if you do find yourself consuming these beverages, keep these tips in mind:

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  • Substitute Drinks: Water, milk, and 100% fruit juice are all great alternatives. Drinking them yourself will give you a better quality of life, and it will help set an example for your kids.
  • Rinse With Water: After drinking soda, flush your mouth out with water to help reduce the acidic effect. It’s not an ideal solution but it helps.
  • Use a Straw: Straws help to minimize the contact of soft drinks with your teeth.
  • Only at Meals: To help reduce your pop habit, try limiting them to meals.
  • Don’t Forget Teeth Cleanings: Professional cleanings by Dr. Khodai or your dentist help to protect your teeth and mitigate the damage of soft drinks.

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Contact Us!

If you have questions about soda consumption or just need a regularly scheduled cleaning, it’s time to start thinking about your dental health and set up an appointment with Irvine Dentist Dr. Neda Khodai. Call us at 949-553-1111 or click below to get in touch with Barranca Dental Excellence in Orange County California. Se Habla Español!

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