Sweetened beverages have become a treat that many people have every day. Drinking high-sugar soft drinks is most commonly associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and weight gain, but these can also have an impact on our dental health and smiles.
When you drink fizzy drinks, the sugars contained interact with bacteria in your mouth to form acid. This acid attacks your teeth. Both regular and sugar-free fizzy drinks also contain their own acids, and these attack the teeth too. With each swig, you are starting a damaging reaction that lasts for about 20 minutes. If you sip all day, your teeth are under constant attack.
There are two main dental effects of drinking fizzy drinks: acid erosion and cavities.
- Acid Erosion
Acid erosion begins when the acids in fizzy drinks encounter the tooth enamel, which is the outermost protective layer on your teeth. Their effect is to reduce the surface hardness of the enamel.
While sports drinks and fruit juices can also damage enamel, they stop there.
- Cavities
Fizzy drinks, on the other hand, can also affect the next layer, dentin, and even composite fillings. This damage to your tooth enamel can invite cavities. Cavities, or caries, develop over time in people who drink fizzy drinks regularly. Add in poor oral hygiene, and a lot of damage can occur to the teeth.
How can I prevent damage to my teeth?
The obvious solution? Stop drinking fizzy drinks. But many of us just cannot seem to kick the habit. However, there are things you can do to lessen the risk of damaging your teeth.
Drink in moderation – Do not have more than one soft drink each day. Just one will do damage enough.
Drink, don’t sip – Sipping gives the bacteria more time to eat the sugar and to create cavities. Drink quickly to give your body time to wash away the bad stuff. Try to drink sweetened coffees, teas, or fizzy drinks in one sitting instead of sipping on them over a longer amount of time.
Rinse your mouth with water afterward – Flushing your mouth with some water after drinking fizzy drinks will help wash away any remaining sugars and acids and stop them from attacking your teeth.
Wait before you brush – Despite what you may think, brushing immediately after you have a fizzy drink is not a good idea. That is because the friction against the vulnerable and recently acid-attacked teeth can do more harm than good. Instead, wait 30 to 60 minutes.
Use a straw – This will help keep the damaging acids and sugars away from your teeth.
Get regular dental appointments – Regular check-ups will identify problems before they worsen.
Soft drinks are not a healthy choice, but they are a popular one. If you have to drink soda, do it in moderation and protect your dental health in the process.
If you would like to book a routine dental appointment, please contact Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029 today!
