Soda and Energy Drinks
How do soda, energy drinks and sugary drinks affect your teeth? Tooth Decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth using sugar from foods and drinks to produce acids that dissolve and damage the teeth.
Sugar sweetened beverages have high levels of sugar and drinking these can significantly contribute to tooth decay. Here is a list of Highly Acid or Sugar filled drinks:
- Regular soft drinks
- ” Diet” drinks
- sports drinks
- energy drinks
- fruit juices
- fruit drinks
- cordials
Regular loss of enamel can lead to cavities and exposure of the inner layers of the tooth that may become sensitive and painful. Each acid attack lasts for around 20 minutes. So, with that said, each time you take a sip of the drink, the acid damage begins again.
How to Fight Tooth Decay and Erosion
- Drink soft drinks in moderation, if at all.
- Use a straw so your teeth are less exposed to the sugar and acid in the drink.
- Take a drink of water ( preferably tap water that is fluoridated) after a sugary or acidic drink to help rinse out your mouth and dilute the sugar.
- Protect your teeth by using Fluoride Toothpaste. Also, after drinking sugary or acidic beverages, don’t brush your teeth right away. Wait at least an hour so your teeth can recover and your enamel can harden before you take a brush to them. The acids make the enamel weak.
- Do NOT sip a sugary or acidic drink slowly over a long duration. Doing so exposes your teeth to sugar and acids for longer.
- NEVER drink sugary or acidic drinks before you go to bed. If you do so, the liquid will pool in your mouth. This coats your teeth with sugar and acid!
- Drink water instead. It has no acid and no sugar!
How Much Acid is in Your Drink?
High Acidity – Drink Rarely if at all!
- Soft drinks
- Diet soft drinks
- Sports Energy drinks
Medium Acidity – Drink Occasionally
- Juice
Low Acidity – Drink Plenty!
- Water
- Milk
