What No One Wants To Hear About Soft Drinks

I know you probably cringed when you read the title. I bet you even considered not reading this at all. We've become a society that places importance on convenience more so than on our overall health. That is why fast food chains are so popular and tasty beverages from a can are just another way we can make things faster and simpler.

Did you know that sipping soft drinks all day can cause serious plaque and decay? Plaque is basically a sticky form of bacteria that lines your mouth. This bacteria feeds on the sugar that passes through your mouth when you eat and drink. It's not just the sugar in the soft drinks that is harmful, but the acid as well. Acid causes weakening and damage in your tooth enamel.  Even diet soft drinks are very acidic, so they can still be damaging to your teeth.  The acid attack from soft drinks lasts for around twenty minutes after you are done drinking and the process restarts with every sip!

You can decrease your chances of decay caused by soft drinks by taking the following steps:

* Do not sip the drink for long periods of time. Consider only drinking soda at meals when you tend to drink a little faster and there are other ingredients helping to keep the acid and sugar from settling on your teeth.

* Use a straw if you are a "sipper." This will keep much of the liquid from touching your teeth.

* Never drink juice or soft drinks before bed. Always brush your teeth, floss and even consider mouthwash before bed to thoroughly clean your mouth and teeth. This will keep sugar or acid from settling on your teeth for the extended hours you are sleeping.

* Drink plenty of water. Also try to swish water around and rinse after drinking a soft drink to help dilute the sugar and acid.

* Consider taking a break from soft drinks altogether, but never let your child drink more than one a day. Children simply do not brush as well as adults do and the consequences for their habits can often be much worse than with adults.

Have your kids check out this website that explains the damages soft drinks can cause.  http://www.mndental.org/flash_sip/home.html

* Continue to get regular check-ups. If you fall into the category of a heavy soda drinker, it is vitally important that you get your regular cleanings every 6 months to have the plaque that settles on your teeth professionally removed.

Did you know? Some of the most popular soft drinks today have anywhere from 9-12 teaspoons of sugar in every 12 ounce can!  Follow the tips above to prevent problems caused by soft drinks and you can expect to have a healthy smile for a long time!



(source: Minnesota Dental Association 2002, American Dental Association)