If there’s one thing that cools us off and refreshes us on a hot day, it’s a tall, fizzy glass of soda. No matter what you call it (soda, pop, tonic) it’s a pretty popular drink here in America, with 48 percent of adults drinking at least one glass per day, according to a Gallup poll. But despite its effervescent sweetness, soda definitely has its drawbacks. Namely, it’s packed with sugar which can not only be bad for your waistline and blood sugar, but it can also be very bad for your teeth.
Simple, you say! I’ll just drink diet soda. But while diet soda may be better for your body weight, it’s still not great for your teeth, despite not having any sugar. Why? Because like regular, full-sugar soda, diet soda has a few ingredients that aren’t so tooth enamel friendly. Namely, acids, in the form of citric acid and phosphoric acid. These acids help flavor your favorite sodas, but they also eat away at your tooth enamel, causing sensitivity to hot and cold, and yes, even dental cavities!
So, what can you do if you still love a glass of soda but don’t want to damage your tooth enamel? The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice your pop habit for your teeth – unless you want to. Here are some tips for caring for your teeth if you drink soda or other acidic beverages.
Rinse With Water
Getting dangerous acid off your teeth is your first line of defense when protecting your teeth against cavities if you drink acidic beverages. One method dentists recommend is alternating sips of water between drinks of your acidic beverage. This helps to keep the teeth constantly rinsed as you drink, and cuts the chance of acid sitting on your teeth for a prolonged amount of time.
Use a Straw
Using a reusable or paper straw while drinking has been shown to keep acidic beverages off teeth – at least a bit more than drinking straight from the bottle, can, or glass.
Don’t Graze
Drink your acidic beverage all at once, not throughout the day, as this can keep adding acid to the teeth as you drink.
Brush After
You already know to brush your teeth after eating, but make sure you brush after drinking soda, too. But before you rush for that brush, remember to wait at least 30 minutes to give your enamel a chance to re-harden. Acid can weaken the enamel, and brushing weak enamel can cause permanent damage to the teeth!
Whether you drink soda or not, it’s important to get your teeth checked at least once a year by Dr. Abelar. If it’s time to schedule your appointment, contact the office today!
