Many addictions plague the modern world, but drinking soda pop may be one of the worst legal ones for everyone’s oral health. In December 2015, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 17% of U.S. adults have at least one soda per day and each of us consume on average 53 gallons of soft drinks each year, nearly 60,000 calories worth. That’s a lot of acid, sugar, caffeine, and additives that all do major damage to our tooth enamel, and can also affect calcium intake, hydration levels, stress and hormone imbalances, and more.
There are many ways to counteract the effects of soda on the teeth and in the body. We’ll take a look at a few of them below, as well as offer a guide on how to ween yourself off the fizzy drinks without losing your mind in the process.
6 Ways Soda is Hurting Your {Oral} Health
Sugar is responsible for the vast majority of dental caries in dental patients. This is especially true for regular soda drinkers. The sugar-laced drink mixes with bacteria in your mouth and forms acid that literally attacks the teeth. Even the sugar-free varieties on the market still have artificial sweeteners that act just like the real stuff in your mouth. The sugar from your soda lasts about twenty minutes in your mouth, demineralizing the enamel of your tooth structure. This leaves your teeth vulnerable and defenseless against your next sip.
Additionally, all that sugar adds up to high calorie counts, which in turn can create diabetes. The same amounts of sugar increase the possibility of a cardiovascular attack by 48%. Diabetes has been linked to poor gum health and a likelihood of developing gum disease. Unhealthy gums mean tooth and bone loss.
The acids in soda, specifically citric acid, carbonic acid, and phosphoric acid, are incredibly corrosive to teeth. Some researchers have gone as far as to say that drinking battery fluid is as dangerous for your teeth as drinking soda.
Caffeine is another major culprit in soda. Not only is it responsible for that nasty addition we mentioned, but a huge 2006 study found a direct correlation between caffeine and bone thinning due to less calcium intake. The findings had three parts. Firstly, people that drink soda regularly tend to consume less dairy products, or more specifically they drink less milk. Secondly, another common soda ingredient called phosphorus is a mineral all our bodies need, however without calcium to balance it in our systems, bone strength and teeth health are diminished. Lastly, the study found that some of the ingredients found specifically in cola extract greatly effect bone health.
Believe it or not, cellular aging can be sped up by drinking soda. The American Journal of Public Health: published study finding in December 2014 that proved drinking a soda each day subtracts 4.6 years from your life. DNA and study data analysis of over 5,000 participants suggested that soda directly shortens Telomeres, the protective nucleoprotein structures that cover the ends of linear chromosomes.
Between the sugar and caffeine in soda, saliva production decreases. This can cause dry mouth, oral tissue damage, make the mouth ripe with bacteria and plaque, and accentuate bad breathe.
Tips to Break the Bad Habit
Even with the list of possible problems soda can create for your mouth, it can seem daunting to give up your favorite bubbly, sweet drinks. If you don’t want to give up the habit right now, consider drinking your cola or dew with a straw. By doing so, you reduce the sugar and acids direct and excessive contact with your teeth. You can also rinse out your mouth with water after enjoying your drink to help with saliva production and to keep bacteria and acid away from your teeth’s enamel. Another thing to consider is eating alkaline of fiber filled foods between sips. The proteins in cheese counteract bacterial growth and plaque build-up sugar can cause, and fibrous snacks like celery or apples scrub the acid off the teeth and prevent staining from soda acid. Lastly, increase your use of fluoride products such as rinses or toothpastes. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and protects against sodas adverse effects. Brushing between drinks can help alleviate dental damage.
Most people don’t have the self-control to give up soda cold-turkey, but weaning yourself down and eventually off may be the best way to approach your caffeine addiction. Water is key here, as it helps with hydration, saliva production, and keeping bacteria and plaque from doing their damage. You can start drinking water in between sodas to reduce the effects of the 20-minute tooth attacks we mentioned earlier. Milk is also another great alternative to soda for its calcium levels, though it does contain some sugar. Avoid swapping soda for fruit juice or sport drinks, as they can be just as high in sugar and acids.
Some Other Tips for Soda Weaning
- Switch to caffeine free sodas, and then approach the sweet tooth.
- Get Soda out of your house, or at least the ones that are hard to resist drinking all the time.
- Don’t order a drink at restaurants. Water is free and the to-go cups and soda machines are too tempting.
- Only drink at certain times or on specific days. Use this method to talk yourself out of caving to cravings.
- Set a weekly soda allowance and “budget” your intake accordingly.
Remember, teeth are the only 32 things that don’t regenerate in a healthy body, so it’s very important to take care of them with preventative care and self-control when it comes to your soda intake. As Miguel de Cervantes stated, “Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.”
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