HERE’S ONE REALLY SIMPLE THING that you can do to make your mouth healthier: reduce the number of sugary, acidic drinks in your diet!
When we say sugary, acidic drinks we mean more than just soda. We’re including sports drinks, energy drinks, and even fruit juice. Read on!
Sugar + Acid Create The Worst Possible Cocktail For Your Smile
Oral bacteria in our mouths metabolize sugars in our drinks. This reaction creates an acid byproduct that erodes our teeth. If you have a healthy balance of bacteria in your mouth, you suffer less decay, but no one is completely free of harmful oral bacteria, even with great genes and perfect brushing habits.
Acidic Drinks Erode Teeth
In addition to the sugar, these drinks are loaded with acid! Acidity in soft drinks takes a more direct route than sugar, eroding your teeth without the help of oral bacteria. Each attack of the teeth lasts about 20 minutes and when you take another sip, it starts over again. This is why diet and “sugar-free” sodas do just as much damage as regular soda.
Many Of Us Drink At Least One A Day
As many as half of us drink at least one soda per day! Many people drink more. How much do YOU drink each day? Imagine how much better your enamel would feel if you replaced that soda with milk or water.
Be Kind To Your Smile
It’s not just about cavities. Enamel erosion can also lead to tooth sensitivity, and excess sugar leads to gum disease, the biggest cause of tooth loss in adults.
Have YOU kicked the soda habit? Do you have any tips that you can share with us? We’d love to hear from you!
Thanks for your trust in our practice! Let us know if you ever have questions for us.
Top image by Flickr user Aidan used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
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