Worried About Tooth Loss? Drink Less Soda
Soda forms a major part of the average American’s diet. Almost everyone has tried soda and, despite a reduction in total consumption, a significant chunk of the American population drinks soda at least once per day. If you had a nickel for every time someone said soda is bad for you, you’d probably be considered wealthy, but the truth is that it's advice you should take. Even without considering the general health problems associated with soda consumption, its dental effects are enough to scare even the bravest soul. Long-term soda consumption is a surefire way of ruining your smile by inviting tooth decay, gum disease, and acid-induced erosion of your teeth’s enamel.
Sometimes this gradual elimination of the enamel gives the impression of yellowed teeth. Your teeth will be yellow, but this is because the enamel — which helps give your pearly whites that white tone — has been stripped. If you do drink soda, make sure not to brush your teeth for at least thirty minutes after finishing it. If you don’t wait for the acid to dissipate, by brushing during the course of an acid attack you’re pushing the damage into your teeth.
Of course, it might be a better idea to simply quit drinking soda. Second, soda contains a lot of sugar. Sugar is a carbohydrate, which is exactly the type of molecule that attracts dangerous bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria use these carbohydrates as food and excrete them as an acid, which demineralizes the various tissues of each tooth.
This process starts with the enamel but can continue through to the pulp, which is where all the tooth’s nerves are located. You know this dental problem as a cavity, also known as tooth decay or dental caries. Cavities are very dangerous and they can lead to tooth loss, and we recommend that you visit a dentist if you’ve seen a sign of tooth decay in your smile.
Minimizing Soda’s Damage
To avoid the dangerous effects of soda the best choice is to quit, but we understand that it’s easier said than done. In the meantime, here are some tips for minimizing the damage:- Drink through a straw, rather than saturate your teeth;
- Drink soda as quickly as possible. If you take one sip now and another sip in twenty minutes, that’s two acid attacks you’re subjecting yourself to. You’re better off drinking it all at once and only putting your teeth through that ordeal once.
- Immediately after drinking soda, drink some water and swish it around in your mouth. This helps clean your enamel from some of the acids, although it won’t get all of it off.
If You’ve Suffered Damage, All Is Not Lost
Over the long run, the effects of soda on your teeth can lead to dental infection or tooth loss. If this is true in your case, there’s no reason to despair. Modern dentistry can still restore the luster to your smile.Dental implants are considered the leading solution to tooth loss, because of their remarkable aesthetics, their unparalleled longevity, and a host of other amazing benefits. If you’d like to learn more about the treatment, take a look at our educational site and contact us with any questions or concerns.