Soda: A Major Cause of Dental Problems

Americans drink 13.15 billion gallons of carbonated drinks every year according to Dr. McCay, the nutritionist at the Naval Medical Research institute. Soft drinks have emerged as one of the most significant dietary sources of tooth decay and obesity.

This affects people of all ages and socio-economic classes. Acids in soda and acidic sugar byproducts in soda soften tooth enamel leading to the formation of cavities. Ultimately this can lead to tooth loss as well.

Regular sodas can contain the equivalent of nine to twelve teaspoons of sugar per can. In today’s world we are seeing even larger and larger containers of soda. It takes 20 minutes or less for the acids in the mouth to start eating away and eroding tooth enamel.

Some people think switching to diet soda will eliminate the chance of this happening but that is not true. Though diet soda does not contain the sugar it’s counterpart does, it is almost as acidic and can ultimately cause the same problems.

So what can be done to help prevent some of these problems? Eliminating soda would be great. Juices can cause a major problem as well so they may not be a great choice. Water is the best choice.  Another thing that will greatly help reduce the chances of having major problems is rinsing with water after you have soda. Brushing after consuming soda will also help. Make sure you visit your dentist regularly for exams and cleanings as well.

for more information about how to keep your smile picture perfect, log on to http://www.LevineDental.com