We all know that sugary drinks like pop (soda) aren’t the best for your smile. And in an attempt to avoid the sugar and calories in regular sodas, you might turn to diet pop to quench your thirst. However, at our Woodbury dental office, we want you to understand that even these sugar-free drinks can be just as bad, or worse, for your teeth. Some diet pop has a higher acidic level than it’s sugar counterpart.
In fact, a study conducted in 2013 and published in the Academy of General Dentistry journal, General Dentistry, showed that excessive consumption of diet pop can have the same effect on your teeth as using illegal drugs like methamphetamine and crack cocaine.
In the study, the damage in the mouths of three individuals – a current methamphetamine user, a former cocaine addict, and an excessive diet soda drinker – was compared. The results showed that each of the mouths experienced similar damage, including loss of tooth enamel and tooth erosion, caused by high acid levels.
Pop, regular or diet, is highly acidic. And so are the ingredients in illegal drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine. The more food, drinks, or anything else with high amounts of acid that we put into our bodies, the more damage will be caused. Without tooth enamel, we’re more susceptible to cavities, sensitivity, discoloration, and damage. For this reason, we not only encourage everyone at our dental office in Woodburyto put the pop down and drink more water, but also to keep up with regular dental appointments. For more information about the effects of soda pop on your teeth visit the Sip All Day website.
If you’re addicted to pop, already have damage caused by excessive intake of pop, or even have damage caused by past drug use, it’s time you see your dentist in Woodbury. We can monitor your habits and make recommendations on how you can get your smile healthy and looking the way you want it to. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
