11 May Soda and Your Oral Health

It’s easy to let soft drinks slip into your life. We are a nation on the go and a soda is an easy remedy for a quick boost of energy. However, as the dentist Laguna Hills residents see for their family dentistry needs, we ask you to think twice before indulging in soda. Soft drinks are one of the leading causes of cavities, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The energy we perceive to gain from a soft drink is really a fast sugar rush that increases dehydration and causes serious problems with your oral health.

Watching the clock

Soft drinks contain a substantial amount of sugar. Each time you take a sip of your drink, the sugars react with the bacteria and plaque in your mouth and become an acid. This acid eats away at the enamel on your teeth until you have a chance to brush your teeth. Even worse, this chemical reaction lasts for 20 minutes per sip, not drink. That means, each time you have a drink of your cola, the clock resets and begins again. If you are one to make that 20 oz. bottle last the entire day, you are seriously damaging your teeth throughout the day.

Ignore your Soft Drink Craving

While sugar-free soda doesn’t contain the same sugars as regular pop, these products still have ingredients that weaken tooth enamel. Dark colas and citrus-flavored sodas contain high acidic levels that damage enamel. The chemical reaction that occurs eats away at the enamel and opens the door for decay and tooth loss.

Improve your oral health one drink at a time

Our Laguna Hills dentist has a few tips that can help keep your oral health in great shape:

• If you must have your daily soda, drink and be done. Make sure to brush your teeth once you’ve finished your drink.
• Change it up. Switch to sparkling water for the fizzy effect without the risk of cavities
• Natural flavoring in water like a squeeze of lemon or lime can help you quench your thirst
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. When you are hydrated, you tend to not need or crave the soft drinks.

The best thing you can do for your oral health besides skipping the soft drinks altogether is to develop a great oral hygiene routine for yourself after consuming a sugary beverage. Rinse with water if you can’t immediately brush and floss away the residue left behind. It is also important to stay up to date with your Laguna Hills dentist office visits. Our professional exams and cleaning will ensure your teeth are healthy.

Challenge yourself and your family to give up the soda and feel free to talk with us about ways in which you can cut the soda cravings. We’re here to help. Follow our team on Facebook for the latest in oral health and keep your smile healthy.