Harmful Effects of Soda on Teeth

05 Aug Harmful Effects of Soda on Teeth

The primary ingredients in soda beverages that make them taste so good and become seemingly addictive are sugar, corn syrup, and carbonation. Your dentist can explain how regular soda consumption can lead to dental decay and gum disease.

Soda pop is also very acidic, which is detrimental to dental enamel. The acids in soda have the potential to escalate erosion of the protective enamel covering on teeth.

These are the main harmful effects on teeth; however, cola drinks can also stain teeth. So dental enamel damage, teeth discoloring, and decay … these are the main negatives on your oral health with soda consumption.

There are alternatives to soda, but many of them like sports drinks and beverages that identify themselves as “healthy” contain the same harmful ingredients that make soda detrimental to dental health. The ultimate healthy beverage that can be consumed all day, won’t harm your teeth, plus has the added benefit that will not result in weight gain is, of course, water. 

But for many, the lack of flavor, sweetness, or carbonation is not appealing; so even with cautions from the dentist, soda remains very popular.

Patients determined to drink soda can follow a couple of ideas that may diminish the harmful effects:

1. Drink through a straw – this allows much of the damaging beverage to bypass the teeth.
2. Swallow right away – don’t swish soda.
3. Rinse with water following consumption – do not brush teeth right away as the acidic content in soda can result in more damage to enamel if brushed.

The sugar in soda clings to the bacteria that live on teeth. Over time plaque forms. Plaque builds up on teeth, and if not removed may result in dental decay, gum disease, and the eventual possibility of tooth loss.

Daily brushing and flossing coupled with a dental visit to have plaque build-up professionally removed every six months will help guard against problems associated with plaque.

But to help promote better oral and overall health, limit soft drinks that contain sugar; or better yet, substitute these beverages with water. Since these sugary beverages are consumed largely by adolescents and teens, parental guidance to limit these beverages is urged. Caregivers can lead by example; in addition by not bringing these products into the home, lack of availability may result in less consumption of soda and drinking more water.

For more information about healthy dental habits, contact our team at dentist grand prairie today.