Submitted by Pediatric Smiles of Bloomington
It is no secret that drinking soda pop is not good for you. It’s been linked to everything from obesity to high blood pressure to cancer. But we don’t seem to hear as much about how damaging soda pop is to our teeth. Soda is double trouble because it is both acidic, and full of sugar. Acid eats away at the hard enamel that protects the teeth, and the high sugar content promotes the development of bacteria that causes cavities. Even diet or sugar free soda is very acidic, and will soften the enamel, thus paving the way for bacteria. Children and teens are especially susceptible to the effects of drinking soda.
Let’s back track for a moment and talk about how tooth decay (cavities) develops. Our mouths are full of bacteria. Whenever we eat or drink anything that contains sugar, the bacteria use this sugar to grow, multiply, and produce acids. The acids then begin to eat away at the tooth’s enamel (the hard outer surface), and over time, a cavity may form. Drinking soda pop is the perfect formula for tooth decay: bacteria + acid + sugar = tooth decay.
There are many other beverages, such as juice drinks, sports drinks, or lemonade, that also contain a lot of sugar and should be avoided—even if they sound healthy. To protect your child’s teeth, offer only water or milk. Do not let a young child drink milk or juice from a sippy cup for extended periods of time, and do not allow fruit juice, soda, and other sugared beverages to be consumed on a regular basis.
It may be difficult to ban all sugary drinks—especially for older children and teenagers—and drinking soda now and then will not ruin your child’s teeth. For the times when your child does drink soda pop, keep the following tips in mind:
- Drink through a straw so there is not as much contact with teeth.
- After drinking a sugary beverage, drink water, and swish it around your mouth.
- Drink from a can instead of re-sealable bottle, as this will limit the consumption to one sitting instead of sipping it over a longer period of time
No doubt about it, drinking too many carbonated and sweetened drinks on a regular basis is a leading cause of tooth decay in children and adults. Be sure to brush and floss twice a day, and visit your dentist twice a year to detect any problems in the earliest stages and maintain your oral health.
For more information or to schedule a check-up, you may contact Pediatric Smiles of Bloomington, 309-663-7339. Their office is located at 1112 Trinity Lane in Bloomington.
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