A Santa Rosa Dentist Answers: How Bad Is Soda for Your Teeth?

Do you love drinking soda and wonder what your Santa Rosa dentist has to say about this habit? For decades, health officials have warned the general public about the dangers of consuming sodas. Dentists have also been warning their patients about the negative impact soda consumption can have on their oral health, but for the most part, the warnings have fallen on deaf ears.

According to the American Dental Association, soda consumption is one of the leading causes of tooth decay, and regular consumption can eventually lead to tooth loss.

How bad is soda for your teeth?

The two main dental side effects that occur as a result of drinking soda are erosion and cavities.

When you drink soda, the sugars in the drink and the bacteria in your mouth combine to form acids which attack your enamel and erode it, weakening your teeth. Over time, these acids continue to wear down your enamel, leading to damage to the surface of the tooth, which become holes known as cavities.

If you do not practice good oral hygiene and the tooth decay spreads, you could eventually lose the tooth, which is why you should see your Santa Rosa dentist at least twice a year.

Is diet soda a safer alternative?

No. Diet sodas also contain acids that can wear down your enamel and cause tooth decay. Every time you take a sip of soda, the acids attack your teeth for about 20 minutes and start over again when you take another sip, which means your teeth are constantly under attack if you consume a lot of soda.

Protecting your teeth from damage

According to your Santa Rosa dentist, the best way to protect your teeth from damage is to give up soda — which is easier said than done for most people. If you have a hard time giving up soda, there are a few things you can do to protect your teeth, including:

Drinking in moderation

If giving up soda is difficult, you can try to wean yourself off the sugary drink by consuming it moderately. If you are used to drinking four cans of soda a day, try reducing the number to one a day

Use a straw

Using straws to drink your soda reduces your teeth’s contact with the sugar, limiting the damaging effects

Consume it quickly

Since the acids attack your teeth for 20 minutes after each sip, there is no point in taking your time when you are drinking soda. Try to finish the drink as quickly as possible to reduce the damage the sugar and acid do to your teeth

Wash mouth with water after drinking

Rinsing your mouth with water after drinking soda helps to get rid of the sugars and acids left in your mouth

Conclusion

Drinking soda is bad for your oral health because it can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss. If you still drink soda and want to stop, talk to your Santa Rosa dentist today to find out what your best options are.

Request an appointment here: http://www.kennethbauerdds.com or call Kenneth J Bauer DDS & Daniel K Bauer DMD - Kenneth J Bauer DDS, A Professional Corporation at (707) 691-5250 for an appointment in our Santa Rosa office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

How Early Should Your Child See A Kid Friendly Dentist?

Kid-friendly dentists encourage parents to schedule their child’s first dental visit before the first birthday. This serves as an opportunity to educate the parent on how to care for their child’s oral health at home and to get a head start on assessing the child’s future oral care needs. This review discusses when to schedule a…

What Materials Are Used In Dental Fillings?

Before we get into our discussion of the materials used for dental fillings, it is important to know what they are used for. Fillings are used to replace parts of teeth that have been affected by cavities, cracks, or damage from nail-biting or teeth grinding. There are various materials that fillings are made of. Read…

How A Dental Sealant Can Keep Teeth Clean

Your dentist might recommend dental sealant if some of your teeth are vulnerable to decay. These restorations serve as a barrier that keeps food particles, bacteria, and acids out of the grooves of their biting surfaces.Oral bacteria feed on the sugars in food particles stuck on teeth after meals, and they excrete acids that cause…

When To See A Family Dentist

Family dentists are general dentistry professionals who have undergone training to learn how to treat patients of different ages, ranging from school-aged children to the elderly. They are responsible for helping all patients maintain good oral health through a number of options, including providing regular check-up appointments and preventive measures, as well as addressing warning…

Recent Posts

How Early Should Your Child See A Kid Friendly Dentist?

How Early Should Your Child See A Kid Friendly Dentist?

Kid-friendly dentists encourage parents to schedule their child’s first dental visit before the first birthday. This serves as an opportunity to educate the parent on how to care for their child’s oral health at home and to get a head start on assessing the child’s future oral care needs. This review discusses when to schedule a…

What Materials Are Used In Dental Fillings?

What Materials Are Used In Dental Fillings?

Before we get into our discussion of the materials used for dental fillings, it is important to know what they are used for. Fillings are used to replace parts of teeth that have been affected by cavities, cracks, or damage from nail-biting or teeth grinding. There are various materials that fillings are made of. Read…