As delicious and refreshing as an ice-cold soda may be, the health risks associated with sugary beverages just aren’t worth the risk. Consuming beverages with a high sugar content, such as soda, is one of the leading causes of cavities and general decay of the teeth. In order to prevent damage to the enamel of your teeth, it is important to understand the effects of soda on the tooth structure.
How Soda Causes Damage To The Teeth
When an individual consumes a soda, the tooth surface is exposed to a high amount of sugar. Sugar is an accelerant and food source for bacteria. When the sugars in soda come into contact with existing bacteria in the mouth, acid is created. If not removed quickly from the surface of the teeth, acid has the potential to break down and soften tooth enamel. This places the tooth at risk for developing cavities, as enamel keeps the entirety of the tooth protected and free of decay. Once the enamel of the teeth is lost, there is no way to build it back up. For this reason, it is important to stay away from soda as much as possible.
Removing Soda From Your Diet
The best thing to do is completely remove soda from your diet and only drink water. Even juice poses a risk to the enamel of your teeth, as it contains sugar. However, we understand this is way easier said than done! Some people may have trouble removing soda from their diet at first. However, in the long run, the health benefits for your teeth and overall well being are worth this dietary change! This is not to say soda isn’t safe to be consumed in small amounts on occasion! Limit your soda consumption to special occasions, if possible. This will help you kick your soda habit to the curb, and will ensure when you do decide to indulge yourself, you can fully enjoy it.
Moving forward with the information you have learned in this article, you will hopefully have a much better understanding of why it is important to remove soda from your diet. Speak with your dentist and the team at Spring Dental if you have any questions about any other drinks or foods which could cause damage to your teeth. Taking the initiative to remove soda from your diet could just be the best decision you have ever made for your oral health!
