Family Dentist in Indianapolis Discusses Damaging Effects of Soda on Teeth
It’s no secret that people love soft drinks. In fact, it’s estimated that nearly half the American population have drunk at least 1 sugary soda drink today. While these beverages may be delicious, drinking soda and other types of sugary drinks is directly linked to health issues such as type-2 diabetes, obesity and other weight problems.
Aside from these more serious health concerns, soda can also have a detrimental effect on your teeth.
When a person drinks soda, the sugars found within it are consumed by the bacteria in your mouth who convert it into acid by digesting it. In addition to this, the soda itself contains acids which attack your teeth by wearing away the protective enamel on the outside of your teeth. As soon as you take one single drink of soda, the effects from it can last for up to 20 minutes. Therefore, if you’re drinking soda all day, your teeth are constantly under attacked by these acids.
Tooth Erosion
Two of the worst things that will happen from drinking soda are tooth erosion, which eventually leads to cavities. Tooth erosion occurs when the acids in a soda drink begin to soften and wear away at the protective outer layer of your teeth.
We’ve all heard it before and know that consuming sugary drinks such as soda can lead to cavities. This happens once the outer enamel is sufficiently worn down and then can cause damage to the inner dentin of our teeth. In time, this damage is almost guaranteed to lead to cavities.
Furthermore, for years, we have known that people who drink soda drinks are far likelier to develop oral complications. Combine these sugary drinks with sub-par oral hygiene and you have the perfect recipe for a dental disaster.
How can you prevent this damage?
While the first and most obvious way to preventing this is to simply avoid drinking soda altogether, many of us just can’t seem to get away from its sugary goodness. And, while these are not complete solutions that prevent tooth erosion and decay, there are a few things that you can do to reduce the risk of damaging your teeth.
Drink up!
When we take our time sipping on a can of soda, the acids within the drink have more time to stick to our teeth and start doing damage. Conversely, the faster you drink will give these harmful ingredients less time to do their damage. However, this does not mean that you can simply drink twice as many sodas. After all, moderation is key.
Rinsing and Brushing
Any time that you drink something with a high-sugar content, it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth out with plain water to help flush out any leftover sugar. Also, while it’s important that you brush your teeth, it’s crucial to wait at least 30 to 45 minutes after eating. This is because the acids from the drink have begun softening your enamel and, by brushing too soon, you’ll end up brushing away your teeth’s primary defense mechanism.
Ready to schedule an appointment with tthe best family dentist in Indianapolis? Call Mitthoeffer Family Dental today at (317) 897-5093.
