If you’re like most Americans, you’ve probably had Coke or Pepsi. After all, both drinks are ubiquitous. Almost every party includes soda pop, right?
Well, what does soda do to your teeth? It decays them. In fact, people with bad teeth often have an addiction to soda pop to blame.
How Pop Affects Your Teeth
Soda pop combines sugar, acids and carbonation– all of which weaken your tooth enamel while also encouraging bacteria growth– not good.
The sugar in soda combines with bacteria in your mouth and forms acid. This acid attacks the teeth, lasting around 20 minutes if you don’t brush right away. Eventually, tooth enamel weakens to the point where you get cavities. Even “sugar-free” or “diet” soda makes that acid that messes with your pearly whites.
Did you know that sodas containing caffeine can help make you dehydrated? This can lead to cavity-causing dry mouth. Also, if you consider the pH scale, which measures acidity, know this: soda typically has a pH value of 2 to 4 meaning it’s highly acidic. Water is a 7 (neutral). Some soda pops are more acidic than battery acid!
If you regularly drink dark-colored sodas (such as cola), you might notice that your teeth look stained or discolored– the dark-colored sodas contain chromogens which stain your enamel. To combat this, switch to clear sodas.
So what can you do if you love soda? Drink it in moderation, use a straw to drink it, and rinse your mouth out with water (or brush your teeth) right after you consume soda. Meanwhile, see your dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups.
If you’re willing to drink less soda, that’s a good thing for your teeth. Water is better for you than soda.
When’s the last time you visited a dentist? Make an appointment at Genesee Dental, conveniently located in downtown Batavia, NY– just call 585-343-1113.