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Dr. Alan Slootsky D.M.D, M.A.G.D., F.A.C.D. Restorative Dentistry / Oral Health August 17, 2013 |
Many people love the taste of a cold soda on a hot day or with their dinner. Some want that taste while still saving calories, so they
drink diet soda. But when it comes to enamel erosion on the teeth, it doesn’t matter which kind of soda you drink. Diet soda can be just as bad as regular soda for your health and your teeth.
Over the past 25 years research has shown that there has been an increase in the number of dental patients with erosion of the tooth enamel. The tooth enamel is the protective layer of the tooth. Once erosion of the enamel occurs, it can’t be reversed and can affect someone for the rest of their lives. A big reason for this increase, is the increase in the amount of soda being consumed. Younger people especially, drink large amounts of soda which leads to more sensitivity in the teeth.
Cold and hot drinks that reach the tooth’s nerve will cause pain to occur. Soda can cause erosion to occur and the nerve to become exposed. It has been estimated Americans drink 44 gallons of soda a year. Regular sodas and diet sodas contain phosphoric and citric acid, which alters the pH balance in the mouth and can cause erosion over time. Tooth sensitivity can be more harmful than a cavity would be to your oral health. A decaying tooth can be fixed with a filling, but tooth sensitivity has no real cure. You could put a crown over sensitive teeth; however this can get very costly.
There are significant studies that show a relationship between the consumption of soda and enamel erosion and cavities. Beyond healthy oral health habits, the best way to keep enamel strong is to not drink soda at all. But if you really like to drink soda there are some guidelines that can be followed to help reduce the amount of erosion.
- Limit consumption of soda to meal time.
- Do not drink soda throughout the day.
- Brush teeth after drinking soda. Toothpastes re-mineralizes and strengthens areas where acid has weakened the teeth.
- If you can’t brush, rinse your mouth out with water.
- Chew sugar-free gum instead.
For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000
