Diet sodas and other sugar-free drinks are often very acidic, weakening the enamel on your teeth and making them more prone to cavities and tooth erosion. Sugar-free beverages typically contain significant levels of phosphoric acid, citric acid, and/or tartaric acid, thus it's recommended to avoid them. Instead, drink water or unsweetened tea/coffee to maintain proper oral hygiene and healthy teeth.
If you're addicted to sugary snacks and drinks, then you should know that they can also be extremely acidic, so they too could affect the quality of your saliva and lead to dental problems. Processed foods contain levels of acidity that are higher than those found in natural fruits and vegetables. So, by eating only processed foods, you're actually consuming an acid load for your body that can damage your teeth over time.
Coffee and tea are both mildly acidic substances that help reduce the risk of developing kidney stones. However, since their effect on dental health has not been fully studied, it's best to limit yourself to no more than one cup per day.
Water is your best friend when it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene and healthy teeth. It was originally suggested that you should consume eight glasses of water daily, but now there is no evidence that shows how much water is necessary to maintain optimal oral health. However, it is recommended to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you're drinking acidic beverages like soda or juice.
Soda contains sugar, which mixes with bacteria in your mouth to generate an acid that damages your teeth. Diet or "sugar-free" soda includes its own acid, which can potentially cause tooth damage. Each assault lasts roughly 20 minutes and restarts with each sip of cola. These constant acid assaults erode tooth enamel. The more you drink, the faster your teeth will wear out.
The solution? Cut back on soda. You'll get the same amount of caffeine from less juice or tea. It won't affect your teeth directly, but it does increase the acidity of your saliva, which could lead to less protection for your enamel.
As well as being bad for your teeth, drinking too much cola can also be dangerous to your health in other ways. It's full of sugar, which can lead to obesity if you consume too many cans or bottles a day. This in turn may raise your risk of developing diabetes or heart disease.
The best thing to do to protect your teeth is to brush them regularly and eat a healthy diet without excess sugar. Avoid drinks such as cola because they contain acids that attack your teeth. Instead, choose water or unsweetened tea and coffee to stay away from acidity levels in your system.
Too much soda is hazardous for your teeth, and it's not only because of the beverage's high sugar content. According to one 2009 research, both the sugar and acids included in soft drinks lead to "dental caries" (or tooth decay) and "enamel erosion." Drinking soda also leads to increased levels of acid in the body, so even if you're not consuming any carbohydrates, your body will still be producing acids that can damage your teeth.
The more frequently you drink soda, the more your teeth are at risk. It takes about three months for your body to rid itself of acid, so if you drink soda every day, your teeth will experience negative effects over time.
Caffeine is also found in tea, coffee, chocolate, and ice cream, among other things. Too much of this type of substance can cause tooth discoloration and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Although caffeine isn't necessarily harmful for your teeth, excessive consumption of these products may result in higher rates of cavity formation.
Finally, tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco. If you smoke, then you already know how damaging these products are for your health in general. Smoking reduces the quality of saliva in your mouth, causing additional problems for your teeth.
Smoking also increases your risk of developing conditions such as diabetes and cancer, both of which can have a negative impact on your dental health.
Even with frequent brushing and flossing, normal and diet drinks can erode tooth enamel. Tiny bacteria reside between and around teeth, producing an acid when exposed to the sugar in soft drinks, causing damage to tooth enamel and eventually decay and cavities. The more frequently you drink soda, the faster your teeth will be destroyed.
The best defense against soda's harmful effects on your teeth is also one of its most obvious benefits: drinking less soda would be a great way to care for your pearly whites! If you must drink soda, try to limit yourself to no more than one or two servings per day. You'll get the flavor you want with less harm to your teeth.
And while we're talking about benefits... Drinking soda may cause you to eat more junk food. Because of its high-sugar content, every time you have a soda you are likely to want something else sweet to eat later on. This could mean having another cookie or candy bar or drinking some more ice cream. But eating more junk food isn't just bad for your teeth, it's also bad for your body overall. Junk food contains lots of fat and calories but not much nutritional value. Eating too many cookies, cakes, and lollipops is equally as unhealthy as eating nothing at all.
Finally, drinking soda may lead you to use dental services that aren't necessary.