Surely you consume this drink so often, but you’re not aware what it does to your teeth
The sugar in soda can damage your teeth.However, sugar is not the only culprit in the soda bottle , and may not even be the most essential one. Other things that play a part in eroding tooth enames are acids and preservatives in soda. Acids also lower the pH of saliva in your mouth. In this way the bacteria can multiply on the surface of the teeth, and can cause erosion. Talk to your dentist about your risk of tooth enamel erosion.
HOW SODA DISTURBS TOOTH ENAMEL
Enamel hardens the outside of your teeth, protecting the dentin and the pulp of the tooth from damage. Saliva has important functions in keeping the tooth enamel strong. According to Mayo Clinic Saliva consists of calcium and phosphate particles that help strengthen tooth enamel.. Soda contains acids such as phosphate and citric acid that weaken the tooth enamel.
ACID EFFECTS
When the enamel weakens, bacterial plaque that forms on the teeth can reach the inner layers more easily, causing cavities. Sodas with high sugar content pack a one-two punch; first they weaken the enamel and then the high sugar content in the soda can easily penetrate into the tooth. Diet sodas weaken tooth enamel, allowing bacteria from other foods to easily damage the tooth. Teeth look different when the enamel is damaged. They no longer look as white; they might appear translucent around the edges or more yellow, because more dentin shows through the thinning enamel. The chewing surface of the tooth can appear dented, rounded or uneven. Because you have less enamel protecting the tooth beneath, you might feel more pain, tingling or discomfort when chewing or drinking hot or cold liquids.
STUDY RESULTS
There are different studies about soda and tooth enamel damage. According to the studies, sodas with the highest sugar content do not always cause the most damage to tooth enamel. A 2007 “General Dentistry” study showed that root beer, which has a slightly less acidic pH than colas and other non-cola sodas, caused less tooth enamel loss than colas and non-cola soft drinks. But, non-cola drinks were less acidic, but these drinks caused more enamel destruction than colas. A study published in May 2008 showed that sports and energy drinks had higher acidity than soda and could cause more tooth enamel erosion.
PREVENTION
If you indulge in a glass of soda occasionally, take steps to minimize any damage. Drink through a straw; this deposits the soda farther back in your mouth, away from your teeth, dentist Dr. Michael Sinkin suggests. Don’t sip at a soda over an hour; drink it fairly quickly; constant sipping keeps your mouth bathed in acids longer. Rinse your mouth out with water when you finish to remove the soda residue. Chew sugarless gum when you finish to increase saliva output and to raise the pH in your mouth. Don’t brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes after drinking soda; the acid weakens the enamel and brushing too soon can cause further damage, according to a German study reported in the September 2003 issue of “The Journal of the American Dental Association.”
Source: healthyeating.sfgate.com
