If you’re like most of the American population, you may have had a sugary drink today — and there’s a good chance it was soda. Sugary drinks can have an effect on your teeth it causes cavities and tooth decay. I’ll talk more about the effects below.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, men are more likely to drink soda and sugary drinks. Teenage boys drink the most and get about 273 calories from them per day. That number falls only slightly to 252 calories in their 20s and 30s.
When you drink soda, the sugar it contains interact with bacteria in your mouth to form acid. This acid attacks your teeth. Both regular and sugar-free sodas also contain their own acids, and these attack the teeth too. With each swig of soda, you’re starting a damaging reaction that lasts for about 20 minutes. If you sip all day, your teeth are under constant attack.”
The two main effects of soda on your teeth
There are two main dental effects of drinking soda: erosion and cavities.
Erosion
Cavities
The obvious solution? Stop drinking soda.. easier said than done right! You can follow the tips below to help lessen the damage to your teeth.
- Drink in moderation. Don’t have more than one soft drink each day. Just one will do damage enough.
- Drink quickly. The longer it takes to drink a soft drink, the more time it has to wreak havoc on your dental health. The faster you drink, the less time the sugar and acid have to sit on your teeth.
- Use a straw. This will help keep the damaging acid and sugar away from your teeth and it also helps with wrinkles around your lips as you get older!
- Rinse your mouth with water afterward. Flushing your mouth with some water after drinking soda will help wash away any remaining sugar and acid, and stop them from attacking your teeth.
- Wait before you brush. Despite what you may think, brushing immediately after you have a soda isn’t a good idea that’s because the friction against the vulnerable and recently acid-attacked teeth can do more harm than good, instead, wait 30 to 60 minutes before you brush.
- Avoid soft drinks before bedtime. The sugar and acid will sit on your teeth through the night eating away at your enamel.
- Get regular dental cleanings. This is the most important of all dental cleanings will keep the damage from worsening.
If you want to have soda choose one of the less acidic like Sprite, Diet Coke, and Diet Dr. Pepper but remember none of them are good for your teeth.