We know they’re bad for us and we know they cause damage to the teeth. Regardless, soda is a guilty pleasure for countless people. What many of those people do not know, however, is how exactly these sugary and acidic treats damage their teeth. Your Orange Park, Florida, dentist, Dr. Michael Vanover, at Vanover Dentistry of Orange Park can help you understand the damage these drinks do and what you can do to minimize your risk of tooth decay.
How do sugary drinks damage my teeth?
Sugary beverages like soft drinks contain acids. Coupled with the sugar in the drinks, they can do some serious damage. Tooth enamel becomes softer, allowing stains to form more easily and decay to eat into the tooth faster. If left untreated, tooth decay leads to tooth and bone loss. Additionally, the sugar gives bad bacteria living on the teeth the perfect food to eat in order to grow and cause buildups. These bad bacteria also produce more acid from the sugar they eat, which makes the damaging situation even worse. Aside from being bad for your teeth, soda is also bad for your health, causing weight gain and serious health problems.
What can I do to avoid the effects of sugary drinks?
The best way to avoid the effects of sugary drinks is to quit drinking them completely. If cutting sugary drinks out of your diet completely is just not feasible for you, there are some ways to consume these drinks and minimize the damage they cause. Try to consume your drink quickly rather than slowly over a long period of time. This lowers the amount of time your teeth are in contact with the harmful sugars and acids in the drink. Additionally, rinse the damaging drink off your teeth by immediately swishing with water or brushing after the drink is finished.
Unfortunately, switching to sugar-free (diet) soda does NOT lower the chance of tooth damage. Diet soda still has the same high acid levels, which will eat through your teeth just like a regular soda.
Even more worrisome is the vast consumption of the popular "healthier" flavored waters. Unknown to most people, many of these drinks are just as acidic as the sodas are, and thus just as bad for your teeth. The reason is that most of these drinks get their flavor from citric acid. Check your drink's label. The more citric acid, the higher the acid level, the more damaging the drink is to your teeth.
How can my dentist help?
Your Orange Park, Florida, dentist is the best tool you have to help you fight tooth decay and gum disease. Twice yearly dental examinations and cleanings are crucial to your oral health. Exams give your dentist the chance to catch problems early and treat them before they become more advanced. Regular cleanings remove the plaque and tartar which has built up on your teeth. These are the very first signs of tooth decay. The less time they are in contact with your teeth, the less damage they can do.
For more information on keeping your teeth healthy, please contact Vanover Dentistry of Orange Park, in Orange Park, Florida. Call (904) 272-2438 to schedule your regular dental examination and cleaning today!