Taking care of your teeth by reducing soda is key for good oral health.
Soda. Pop. Cola. Coke. By any name, soft drinks are still sweet. These carbonated drinks may tickle your taste buds, but they also excite the bacteria living in your mouth.
The sugar, phosphoric acid, and other acidic byproducts found in sodas feed bacteria while softening tooth enamel. This combination allows the bacteria to produce excessive plaque that can lead to decay of teeth, teeth cavities, and even tooth loss.
Though the warnings have increased about the dangers of soda leading to softened and stained teeth, brittle bones, weight gain, and diabetes, Americans seem reluctant to give up their carbonated drinks. In fact, young people especially are increasing their consumption to the point that the American Academy of Pediatrics and Dakota Dental children’s dentists are sounding the warning bell.
At Dakota Dental, we encourage our patients to enjoy sugary snacks and drinks responsibly and in moderation. That means reducing the amount ingested and the exposure to teeth. Use sodas as a treat rather than a regular beverage and, instead of drinking colas, juices, and energy/power drinks as a primary drink, switch to water and milk. And to reduce exposure of the sugary drinks to the teeth, Dakota Dental dentistry for kids and adults encourages people of all ages to use straws.
To drink responsibly, Dakota Dental suggests taking care of your teeth by rinsing your mouth with water immediately after drinking soda. Don’t forget regular brushing, flossing, and mouthwash as part of your oral health preventive dental care habits, either.
At Dakota Dental, we believe that dental care doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Reducing intake of sugary beverages and remembering a quick rinse after soda are small changes you can make to help prevent tooth decay and other serious problems in the future.
Have more questions about how you can protect your smile? Drop in for a visit or ask about our Preventative Care Program – our Apple Valley family dentistry can be reached at (952) 431-5774 or at DakotaDental.com.