Soft drinks - The sweet oral poison

March 3th, 2020

There’s a direct connection between heavy soda consumption and health issues like obesity and diabetes. With its connection to such severe health issues, soda consumption impacts the dental health of an individual in the worst possible manner..

When the sugar in sodas encounters the bacteria present in one’s mouth it forms acid that directly attacks the teeth and lasts for about twenty minutes. And if you think by consuming diet or sugar-free sodas well think again and think hard! The diet and sugar free carbonated beverages contain their own acids meaning instead of acid forming in your mouth you’ll be directly consuming it.

There are many surveys and studies which have shown that over the course of time the consumption of milk, a vital beverage for maintaining oral health has decreased drastically, and is being replaced by sodas and juices (beverages of more acidic nature). This has become a leading cause of problems like tooth decay

The key indicators of tooth decay are erosion and cavities:

1. Erosion: When acids present in the soft drinks come in contact with your tooth’s enamel, the first protective layer of the tooth and reduces it’s hardness that is when the erosion begins.
2. Cavities: Though fruit juices and sport drinks can also damage your teeth enamel but that is where they stop, however, this is not the case with soft drinks. After damaging your teeth’s enamel they move towards the next layer, dentin, and then even to the composite fillings. They don’t only cause damage to the layers of your teeth but their regular consumption is considered as one of the primary causes of cavities. Add poor oral hygiene to the mix and you are looking at a very dangerous cocktail which has the ability of causing serious damage to your oral health.
   Ofcourse, this does not mean that one should never drink carbonated drinks. As a matter of fact is consumed in moderation and the below mentioned guidelines are followed then their consumption offers no harm at all.

Do’s

1. Stay hydrated: Being well hydrated is vital for one’s overall health. But picking the right kind of beverages for keeping yourself hydrated can be a bit tricky. On one hand soft drinks contain sugar, acid and caffeine and eventually end up leaving you dehydrated, and on the other hand there are sports drinks which do keep your body hydrated but have high sugar content and can lead to cavities.
   However, consuming drinks like lemonade and non cola drinks can help you stay hydrated and also help fight the urge to consume soda.
2. Balance is the key: Over consumption of anything is always bad for health. Same is the case with soft drinks, but if consumed in a moderated amount of 12 oz a day, soft drinks and sodas do not pose a threat to your oral health.
3. Maintain your oral hygiene: Oral health experts can not stress on the importance of oral hygiene enough
   - Brush twice a day
   -Floss
   -Mouthwash
   Alongside these are the general practices for maintaining oral hygiene you consume soda of a regular basis then you should take a few extra precautions like
   - Brushing your teeth after consumption as toothpastes in general are basic in nature and will help regulate the decreased pH level of your mouth.
   - We understand that brushing your teeth every time is not possible but maintaining the mouth’s pH vital. What you can do is at least wash your mouth with water. It will dilute the acid in the mouth.
   - Instead of sipping your soda you should drink it.
   - A straw can help in keeping the sugar away from your teeth.
   - Increase the consumption of dairy products.
   

Conclusion: It is a well known fact that soda and beverages with sugar and acidic contents are bad for your teeth but if their consumption is done in a controlled manner and all the necessary precautions are taken then they do not pose much threat to your oral health.