Yeah, yeah, yeah, you’ve heard it all before: drinking soda is bad for you. No matter what you do, you can’t seem to kick the habit! We understand how frustrating this can be, but it’s important that you recognize the health risks that come with sipping soda all day long.
Tooth Damage
Sugar is not good for your teeth, and adding carbonation makes it even worse. The acids in soda can wear down the enamel that protects your teeth. From there, the soda can create cavities and cause severe discomfort. If you are an adult, you may have established good brushing habits that have cut down on your cavities; however, children’s teeth do not have fully developed enamel, so their mouths are at the highest risk. Limit children’s intake of soda to prevent irreversible oral damage.
Prevention
The best solution we have is to stop drinking soda! However, if you find this impossible, there are healthier ways to be mindful of your soda consumption:
- Limit soda to one per day.
- Rinse your mouth with water after drinking soda.
- Wait 30 to 60 minutes before brushing teeth after drinking soda.
- Avoid drinking your soda before bed.
- Get your teeth cleaned regularly.
If you must drink soda, choose one with a lower acidity. For example, Sprite and diet sodas are less acidic. They still pack quite the acidic punch, but they are a better choice than Pepsi or Coca-Cola.
When you need a Lady Lake dentist, come to the professionals at Heritage Dental. We can’t wait to help you maintain a healthy smile!