The sugar in soda is a major cause of tooth decay. People who drink 3 or more sugary sodas daily have 62% more tooth decay, fillings and tooth loss than people who dont. It’s not just sugar that’s bad for teeth, but the acids included in many popular drinks are said to “eat” away enamel and make teeth more prone to. Regular sodas can contain the equivalent of nine to 12 teaspoons of sugar per can. Get an extra large drink, and the amount of sugar is supersized.
sodas cause tooth decay
While many people find the sweet taste of soda enjoyable, the bacteria in the mouth consider all that sugar an delicious buffet. The sugar interacts with the bacteria, producing acid which can cause dental erosion and weaken gums. But its indirect. Sugar itself does not harm tooth enamel. But sugar, in any food, feeds bacteria that live in your mouth. These bacteria multiply rapidly and they then secrete acids that dissolve tooth enamel. Good dental hygiene will kill most of the bacteria. Just cutting out sugar in sodas will not stop tooth decay as natural sugars are found in most foods.
The average American drinks more than 53 gallons of carbonated soft drinks each year, more than any other beverage, including milk, beer, coffee or water. Diet sodas are part of the problem. Women especially like to drink them throughout the day and between meals because they have no calories, yet the higher frequency and volume is putting their teeth at risk. Pop is sweetened, acidic, often caffeinated carbonated drink.
There is regular pop that is sweetened with different kinds of sweeteners and diet pop that is sweetened with artificial sweeteners. 45 gallons of pop is consumed per person/per year by the average American. Even adults are just as prone to decay even though they have fairly good enamel and well-calcified enamel.
The other reason that tooth decay is caused by soda is the acidity. it is so acidic it can literally eat away at your teeth. Automotive mechanics might reach for phosphoric acid to clean battery terminals, but they wouldn’t want to drink it. Sodas also contain carbonic or phosphoric acid which, over time, can dissolve the calcium out of a tooth’s enamel. Without the protection of the enamel layer, the soft tissue underneath is open to bacteria leading to cavities and tooth destruction. Over time, the acid can also weaken gums and jawbones.
sugar sodas erode tooth enamelHow to protect your teeth from sodas :
- When drinking sodas, don’t sip them slowly. The longer the soda stays in the mouth, the more time the acid has to erode tooth enamel. This is one time when drinking fast is actually a healthy decision.
- Rinse your mouth with water after consuming pop. It is important to do this prior to brushing your teeth after you just drank a pop. Rinsing first will help to neutralize the acids. Brushing in a high acid environment will erode tooth enamel.
- Substitute other drinks for some sodas. A glass of cold water is nice. Or drink some herbal tea. But stay away from too many fruit juices or fruit drinks as they often contain a lot of sugar.
- Also, resolve to quench your thirst with water.
- If you drink pop alone or between meals, chew sugarless gum afterward to increase your saliva flow.
