Soft drinks and Cavities

Americans drink more than 575 soft drinks on average every year, equaling approximately 54 gallons a year. Over the last 50 years soft drink consumption has increased by 500%.  Soft drinks have been linked to obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis in women and dental decay.  A person who consumes soft drinks 3 or more times a day has 18% higher dental cavities.  Soft drinks containing sugar can cause cavities and their acidity can weaken the enamel of the tooth. Regular soft drinks are high in sugar, for example, a 12 oz can of soft drink contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar. A sticky film of bacteria called plaque constantly forms on the teeth and gums.  Each and every time bacteria come in contact with sugar or starch in the mouth, acid is produced.  This acid will attack the tooth enamel (the protective white outer layer of the tooth) for 20 minutes or more. Frequent attacks weaken the enamel and tooth decay begins when the enamel is damaged.  Although diet soft drinks don’t contain sugar they do contain acids.  All soft drinks All soft drinks (regular and diet) contain acids, like phosphoric, citric, malic and tartaric acid; these acids will harm and cause the loss of tooth enamel. Fruit juice and sport drinks do not have as much acid as soft drinks do, but they are high in sugar which can cause decay.  So let’s drink water, and better tap water since it contains fluoride.  

If you must have a soft drink, use a straw to keep teeth away from sugar and acids, drink water afterwards to dilute the soft drink, chew sugarless gum, or even better, brush your teeth.  Never consume a soft drink before bed and do not sip the soft drink for hours, the longer you expose your teeth to sugar and acid the more chance there is to get cavities.