Watch Out For Those Sugary Drinks!

EVERYONE CALLS IT A DIFFERENT NAME—soda, pop, soda pop, soft drinks… But to us it’s all the same thing because of the effect on your teeth.

Sugary sodas have not only served up a portion of the nation’s obesity problems, but the acidic sugar byproducts and acids soften your tooth enamel, which contributes to more cavities. Dr. Puig says that when your tooth enamel gets softer, it makes brushing even harder on your teeth, resulting in an unwanted one/two punch.

We’ve had some patients ask us about the difference between regular soda and sugar-free drinks (which only account for around 14% of all soda consumption)? Well, they’re less harmful, but can still cause acidic damage.

The amount of soft drinks we consume in the United States is continually increasing—especially among children and teens. The problem is becoming so bad that the American Academy of Pediatrics is now sounding an alarm about the dangers, and suggesting better guidelines for helping children create good beverage habits. Studies show that at least one in five children consumes a minimum of four servings of soda each day! Some teenages drink much, much more. And college students often study and/or socialize for hours on end bathing their teeth in soft drinks.

So, What Can You Do?

• Reduce the amount you drink. Seems obvious, right? But we need to actually do it.
• Find substitutes you enjoy that are more healthy.
• Drink more water. It will help take away your cravings for soda.
• When you DO drink soda pop, rinse your mouth with water when you finish.
• Use fluoride toothpastes and/or mouth rinses.
• Don’t forget to schedule regular dental checkups.

Here at Dynamic Smile Design, we want to do everything we can to help you keep your beautiful smile for life. If you have questions about different beverages and their effect on your teeth, feel free to ask us. We love talking to you, our valued patients, about your oral health. And if it’s just a general question, you can always leave us a message on Facebook or Twitter. Chances are someone else could use the same information as you.