The Effects of Soft Drinks on Teeth

Although many people enjoy drinking soft drinks, they are in fact bad for health and teeth. Sugary, carbonated drinks significantly damage tooth enamel and can lead to cavities. Drinking soft drinks should not be a regular occurrence but should be reserved for special treats once in a while. Chances are if you reduce your intake of carbonated drinks you will in time find them too sweet tasting to enjoy. There are a multitude of problems that drinking soft drinks can cause to your teeth so it is best to limit the amount you drink into your diet.

Staining

• Soft drinks come in a range of flavors such as lime, cherry and orange, and the bright colors often make them appealing to children. The color additives that can be found in many drinks, cause the teeth to stain over time. Brushing your teeth too close after consumption will not help the problem, as the brushing encourages acid into softened enamel. The best way to avoid stained teeth through soft drink consumption is to cut out soda from your diet.

Weak Enamel

• Although many people worry about the implications of too much sugar consumed into their diet by soft drinks, the impact on tooth enamel is often overlooked. Over time, consuming soft drinks will result in a loss of tooth enamel. Research by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) found that "drinking any type of soft drink hurts teeth due to the citric acid and/or phosphoric acid in the beverages." It is the high acidity in soft drinks that causes a loss of enamel. Weakened tooth enamel not only leads to cavities but also makes you prone to tooth sensitivity, causing pain when eating and drinking foods that are hot or cold.

Cavities

• Soft drinks are one of the leading dietary contributors of tooth decay according to Colgate. The acid and acidic sugars eat away at teeth causing cavities. In particular, if you drink soda late at night before bed, the sugars will cling to the teeth longer causing more damage. The AGD found that the erosive power of cola drinks is 10 times that of fruit juices. When bacteria in the mouth interacts with the sugar from fizzy drinks, and you do not brush properly then cavities will form. Fewer soft drinks and better oral hygiene will no doubt result in few cavities and better oral health.