Soft Drinks Effects on Teeth

Did you know that indulging in your favorite soft drink could be harmful to your teeth? Because many soft drinks have a low pH level, they make the mouth acidic. This provides the perfect environment for the acids and sugars in soft drinks to attack tooth enamel, the hard outer layer that protects the tooth. In fact, citric acids, an especially common ingredient, can even be found in some flavored waters. The breakdown of the enamel can lead to cavities and allow certain soft drinks to stain your teeth.

Soft drinks have emerged as one of the most significant dietary sources of cavities in teeth, affecting people of all ages. Acids and acidic sugar byproducts in soft drinks soften enamel of teeth, contributing to the formation of cavities. In extreme cases, softer enamel combined with improper brushing of or grinding of the teeth or other conditions can lead to tooth loss.

Sugar-free drinks, which account for only 14 percent of all soft drink consumption, are less harmful. However, they are acidic and potentially can still cause problems.

What to Do??
Children, adolescents and adults can all benefit from reducing the number of soft drinks they consume, as well as from available oral care therapies. Here are some steps you can take:

Substitute different drinks: Stock the refrigerator with beverages containing less sugar and acid such as water, milk and 100 percent fruit juice. Drink them yourself and encourage your kids to do the same.

Rinse with water: After consuming a soft drink, flush your mouth with water to remove vestiges of the drink that can prolong exposure of tooth enamel to acids.

Use flouridated toothpaste and mouth rinse: Fluoride reduces cavities and strengthens tooth enamel, so brush with a fluoride-containing toothpaste. Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash also can help. Your dentist can recommend an over-the-counter mouthwash or prescribe a stronger one depending on the severity of the condition. He or she also can prescribe a higher fluoride toothpaste.

Soft drinks are hard on your teeth. By reducing the amount you drink, practicing good oral hygiene habits, and seeking help from your dentist and hygienist, you can counteract their effect and enjoy better oral health.

Prolonged exposure to soft drinks can lead to significant enamel loss, even though many people consider soft drinks to be harmless or are just concerned about their sugar content and the potential for weight gain, the study says.

The erosive potential of colas is 10 times that of fruit juices in just the first three minutes of drinking.Non-colas are less acidic than colas overall, the study found, but they erode teeth more effectively than colas.

The study measured the acidity, or pH, of 20 commercial soft drinks, including Coke, Pepsi, 7 Up and their diet versions, immediately after cans were opened. Then slices of enamel from freshly extracted teeth were weighed before and after being immersed in the soft drinks for 48 hours.

"The bottom line is that the acidity in all soft drinks is enough to damage your teeth and should be avoided.Acids in Popular Sodas Erode Tooth Enamel."

The following tips can help prevent enamel breakdown:

DON’T..

Sip all day. This will leave your teeth coated throughout the day, causing more damage to teeth.
Swish or leave the soft drink in your mouth when drinking.
Drink a soft drink before going to bed.
Brush your teeth immediately after drinking a soft drink. It’s best to wait at least one hour so there’s less risk that the brushing will wear away the already weakened enamel.

DO…

Drink a soft drink with a meal, when there’s lots of saliva present to break down the acid.
Rinse your mouth with water after drinking a soft drink.
Use a straw positioned toward the back of your mouth, not toward your teeth.
Drink a soft drink in one sitting.
Brush and floss regularly.

Soft drink commercial ads that pop up while watching television channels or surfing the internet too have a major impact on children opting for such drinks without knowing its side effects.

Milan Tomic

Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.