No matter what you call them — pop, soft drinks, soda — when they’re part of your daily routine, they can destroy your teeth in two ways: dental erosion and tooth decay.
SOFT DRINKS AND YOUR HEALTH
The Dangers of Dental Erosion
Even diet soft drinks, which are sugar-free, can cause dental erosion. Most soft drinks contain both phosphoric acid and citric acid, both of which can gradually dissolve tooth enamel — your teeths’ first defense against decay and damage. Once the enamel is worn away, it leaves your teeth defenseless against plaque and tartar; it also exposes the dentin beneath, which can cause extreme sensitivity and pain.
Tooth Decay is Not Okay
Tooth decay is caused by sugar, and the bacteria in your mouth survive by eating the sugar they find on your teeth. The average soft drink serving contains nine to twelve teaspoons of sugar, which feeds the plaque on your teeth. What’s worse, because of the acidity of soft drinks, your teeth are more vulnerable to decay. Even the smallest hole in the surface of your tooth can grow into a serious cavity.
To keep your teeth (and body) healthy, avoid soft drinks and opt for water, milk, or diluted fruit juices, instead.
Copyright © 2005, Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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