What You Drink Can Have an Adverse Effect on Your Teeth

Most of us are careful about the amount of sugar we consume and know to avoid candy, cookies and other sweets, but did you know that sugar in ANY form is harmful to tooth enamel?  In fact, sugary drinks, soda, citrus juices, and even sparkling water can have more sugar than candy and sweets and can be very damaging to your teeth.  

Life Hacks – Use Soda to Clean Your Car Battery

You’ve probably seen Life Hacks on social media that teach you how to clean almost anything.  One of the hacks uses cola to clean the corrosion from your car battery. Acidity in soda has a similar effect on tooth enamel, and constant consumption of soft drinks is a leading cause of tooth decay.

This doesn’t mean you should never drink soda, but moderation is the key.

Tips for Drinking Soft Drinks/Sugary Drinks in Moderation

The Wisconsin Dental Association coined the phrase, “Sip All Day, Get Decay”.  This is more than a clever slogan, it is the truth. The following are some suggestions to help you avoid decay:

DO

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day (at least eight glasses per day).
• Drink soda in moderation (no more than a 12 oz. a day).
• Use a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth.
• Rinse your mouth out with water after drinking soda. This will dilute the acid and sugar. For the protection of your tooth surfaces, you should wait at least 30-60 minutes before brushing your teeth.

DON’T

• Sip your drink for extended periods of time. Every time you sip your soda, you start a damaging reaction. Sugars interact with bacteria in your mouth to form acid that lasts for about 20 minutes. If you sip your drink all day, your teeth are under constant attack.
• Drink soda before bedtime. Soda lowers your body’s pH level and if the pH level of your saliva is below 5.5, your teeth will begin to deteriorate. Drinking soda before bed doesn’t allow time to increase the pH level in your body. Although drinking water helps regulate your pH level, most people avoid drinking water right before bed.
• Brush immediately after meals. Brushing on enamel that has already been softened by your food/drink could end up damaging your teeth.
• Substitute soft drinks, sports drinks or fruit juice for a meal. Some of these beverages rot your teeth.

Are you concerned about the health of your teeth? Contact Premier Dentistry of Eagle to set up a dental checkup and let Dr. Shane S. Porter examine your teeth.  

Other Drinks Can Cause Damage to Your Teeth

Although it sounds like we are picking on soda, there are many drinks that will damage your tooth enamel.

• Alcohol dries your mouth. Saliva is one of the mouth’s natural defenses and since people usually sip their drinks slowly, it gives alcohol more time to damage your teeth. Wine is acidic and can soften tooth enamel, which makes teeth sensitive and vulnerable to cavities.
• Fruit Juices – Besides the sugar, most fruit juice is concentrated, and exposes you to a lot more acid than the fruit in its whole state.
• Iced Tea – Most iced teas are loaded with sugar. Some brands of brewed iced teas are worse than most sodas.
• Diet Soda – Although diet soda is sugar-free, it still overwhelms your enamel if you drink it regularly.

Water and Milk Are Good for Your Teeth and Gums

What is the bottom line? Substitute water for sugary drinks as often as possible; it’s good for your overall health and for the health of your mouth, teeth and gums. Water helps rinse food debris from your mouth and keeps your saliva levels high. Saliva is 95% water and 5% minerals and proteins that neutralize enamel-eating acids and is your mouth’s best defense against tooth decay. Do yourself a favor and stay hydrated if you want to avoid unnecessary cavities.  

Milk is also a good choice in beverages. Your teeth get stronger and healthier when you drink milk because it contains calcium. Calcium helps protect your teeth against periodontal disease and keeps your jaw bone healthy and strong.

You can periodically treat yourself to a different beverage but following these guidelines will help prevent damage to your tooth enamel.

Regular dental check-ups every six months, along with good nutrition will help maintain your oral health. Give our office a call at 208-546-0655 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shane S. Porter, at Premier Dentistry of Eagle. Dr. Porter and his friendly staff proudly serve Star, Middleton, Meridian, Garden City, and the greater Eagle and Boise, Idaho areas. They offer a wide variety of services for the whole family and want to give you a reason to smile.