Most people enjoy an ice-cold soda, especially during those summer afternoons, but the effects of Coca-Cola and other soda pops on a beautiful smile is indisputable. Sodas affect oral health, rot strong teeth, and discolor pearly whites.
Sodas contain unhealthy ingredients: sugar, phosphoric acid, and citric acid.
- Sugar, which is high in calories and leads to higher body mass indexes, is also a leading factor of cavities in the United States. The sugar found in sodas increase the amount of bacteria and plaque found in the mouth, which when untreated, contributes to cavities and expensive, intrusive treatments.
- Phosphoric and citric acids destroy enamel and calcium of teeth. Without the protection of the enamel, teeth are more vulnerable to staining and darkening. Such acids deplete the protection of enamel, thereby causing cavities and root canals.
Although diet sodas may offer fewer calories, they provide other health risks as a result of artificial sugars, including aspartame, which may be associated with different types of cancer, heart attacks, or strokes. Even diet drinks contain phosphoric and citric acids and still may cause an increase in cavities among heavy soda drinkers.
This “soda epidemic” has increased in the last few decades. The size of soft drinks offered at restaurants, fast food locations, and supermarkets, has increased from 7 ounces to 32 ounces over the last fifty years. In addition, the consumption of sodas has increased, due in part to a greater variety available on the market today.
How to protect your teeth from soda?
The best way to prevent tooth decay from sodas is to reduce the amount of soda a person drinks on a regular basis. By reducing soda consumption, you are lowering the amount of sugar consumed in addition to the amount of phosphoric acid you encounter. For those who continue to drink sodas regularly, drink a soda through a straw, not directly from the bottle, to reduce contact with teeth. Also, rinse your mouth with water or mouthrinse after consumption.
Dr. Alexander Ash and his team of highly skilled dentists and hygienists at Studio Dental Care can help to treat some of the damage caused by consuming too much coca cola and other soda pop products. Attending the dentist regularly helps to promote overall oral health through routine and general dentistry procedures. To reverse the plaque and tartar build up, patients may choose routine cleanings or sedation dentistry to help those anxious nerves. In order to restore a natural laminating and brighter smile, Dr. Ash also offers cosmetic dentistry such as Invisalign, teeth whitening, and veneers. Call today or visit Studio Dental Care to support great oral health for your family and yourself!
By Alexander Ash, DDS
Dr. Ash is the founder of Studio Dental Care. He earned his Doctorate at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, followed by two General Residencies at New York-Presbyterian / Weill-Cornell Hospital and the UCLA Sepulveda VA Hospital.