Is soda water bad for your teeth? Certainly, drinking sugary and acidic beverages often may cause cavities, erosion of the enamel, and eventual tooth loss. In spite of this, carbonated soda water in particular has had a meteoric rise in popularity and is now one of the world’s most consumed beverages. In this article, dentists in Bassendean will explain how soda water may harm teeth and how to avoid it.
What Is Soda?
Soda, often known as pop or tonic, is carbonated water with dissolved carbon dioxide gas. To get bubbles while boiling water, just add a lot of carbon dioxide. Soda is often sweetened with sugar or other chemicals to improve its taste and scent. Yet, there is evidence that drinking too much soda might be bad for your health, especially your teeth. To achieve optimum health, it is necessary to limit soda consumption and complement it with a healthy diet.
Soda Ingredients
Soda comes in different flavors and sweetness levels, but most include these ingredients:
Ingredient | Function |
Water | Solvent and helps to form solution |
Carbon dioxide | Help soda water have gas by making air bubbles. |
Sugar | Provide energy, and tastes pleasant |
Flavor | Creates a taste for soda water |
Preservative | Increases soda shelf life and freshness. |
Phosphoric acid | Makes soda taste sour and fresh. |
Is Soda Water Bad For Your Teeth?
Absolutely, drinking too much soda water might be bad for your teeth. That’s because the sugar and acid in soda may eat away at tooth enamel, leaving teeth vulnerable to cracking and chipping. Also, studies have linked frequent soda use to an increased risk of cavities and gum disease.
Investigations Soda Water Erodes Enamel
US scientists say that drinking a lot of carbonated soft drinks can cause damage to teeth similar to methamphetamine or cocaine, according to the UPI news agency. Research by a team of experts at Temple University Dental School has shown that regular and long-term use of soda water can be harmful to teeth. The results of this study were published in the journal General Dentistry in 2013 with the title “Potential effects of pH and buffering capacity on erosive potential of popular beverages”. This research tested artificial and human tooth samples. After being exposed to sugary, acidic soda water for 3–5 minutes, the amount of dental enamel decreased by roughly 5%, as shown by the findings. Finally, the expert panel also discovered that drinking soda water on a daily basis raises the probability of developing cavities and experiencing enamel wear.
Soda Causes Tooth Decay
Due to its high sugar and acid content, soda may promote tooth decay. When we drink soda, our oral bacteria eat sugar and make acid, which weakens tooth enamel and causes dental decay.
- Soda contains a variety of acids, such as phosphoric acid, carbonic acid, and citric acid. These acids reduce oral pH, causing tooth enamel degradation and decay. Regular soda use may weaken teeth and cause tooth decay and enamel loss.
- Moreover, soda’s sugar damages teeth. Our mouth bacteria devour sugar and make acid, producing the perfect habitat for bacteria to flourish and attack tooth enamel, causing tooth decay and other oral health issues.
How to Decrease Soda Water Tooth Decay?
Even though it’s consumed by millions every day, soda water is really a major contributor to tooth decay. But, don’t worry, the dentist at Spring Orchid will provide you tips on how to reduce the risk of tooth decay caused by soda drinks:
Limit Soda Consumption
If you want healthy teeth and gums, drink water, unsweetened green tea, or unsweetened milk instead of sugary drinks. Limiting your intake of soft drinks and water will help protect your teeth from cavities caused by the beverages’ sugars and acids. Also, read nutrition labels and cut down on sugar and other added sweeteners.
Drink Soda Properly
It’s okay if we drink a soda every now and then. However, try adopting the following habits:
- If you still want to drink soda, drink it quickly without leaving it in your mouth for a long to minimize its impact on tooth enamel.
- Using a straw can help keep soda out of direct contact with your teeth and minimize its impact on tooth enamel.
- After drinking soda, you can use filtered water or gargle to remove particles left in your mouth and help rebalance the pH in your mouth. This will wash away the sugar and acid in your mouth before it can start damaging the enamel.
Brush And Floss Regularly
One of the best ways to avoid tooth decay and other dental problems is to practice better oral hygiene.
- Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and a gentle toothbrush.
- Also, you should floss once a day to keep the spaces between your teeth clean.
Regularly See The Dentist
The American Dental Association advises biannual dental visits. Despite your self-assurance. The dentist will examine your teeth for signs of decay and enamel wear and then fill any cavities they detect. Although biannual dental visits are suggested for everyone, those with risk factors for oral health disorders like periodontitis may need more frequent visits to the dentist.
Conclude
In sum, dental professionals have concluded that soda water damages oral health. So, drinking too much soda water might damage your teeth, enamel, and health. However, drinking less soda, avoiding using straws, and selecting sugar-free or low-calorie drinks may prevent tooth disease from soda water. Have you heard that soda water damages teeth and are seeking a dentist to treat tooth decay or perform general dentistry? Make an appointment with Spring Orchid Dental Clinic at 6/85 Walter Rd E Bassendean WA 6054.
- Spring Orchid dental clinic’s dentists use modern equipment and are highly trained. You’ll get the greatest dental treatment from a team of QIP-qualified dentists and an Australian Dental Association member.
- The clinic also offers a Children’s Dental Benefit Program (CDBS) to assist parents lower children’s dental costs.
- Even though the Spring Orchid Dental Clinic is a privately owned business, they accept Department of Health-issued Health Care Cards and Pensioner Concession Cards.
- With a team of QIP-qualified dentists and a member of the Australian Dental Association, you will receive the best dental care and ensure your oral health will be best protected.
FAQs
Is Sparkling Water Bad For Your Teeth?
No, it isn’t. Sparkling water is generally not bad for your teeth. Unlike soda, which contains high levels of sugar and acids that can erode your tooth enamel, sparkling water is simply carbonated water with no added acids.
- Unfortunately, some sparkling water may have additional flavors, citric acid, or other acids that might damage your teeth if taken in excessive amounts over time. Acids may erode tooth enamel and cause cavities.
- Also, using a straw while drinking fizzy beverages might reduce the amount of time your teeth spend in contact with the liquid. This reduces dental issues like enamel degradation.
Is Sugar-Free Soda Better For Your Teeth?
In short, sugar-free soda is better than sugar-sweetened soda, but it still damages teeth. When drunk consistently and Excessively, sugar-free soda may erode enamel and make teeth more brittle.
- Furthermore, carbonic acid, which is often included in sugar-free soda, may reduce the mouth’s pH and destroy dental enamel.
- Also, drinking sugar-free soda may also cause dry mouth, making it more difficult for the oral environment to combat germs and deal with other oral health issues.
Thus, avoid pop, particularly unsweetened soda, and drink water, unsweetened green tea, or unsweetened milk instead. At the same time, see your dentist frequently to assess and treat tooth issues.
Should Children Replacing Baby Teeth Consume Soda?
Absolutely not. Children replacing baby teeth should minimize soda consumption. Soda water includes acidic chemicals and sweets that hurt children’s teeth. Children’s permanent teeth are still in the process of forming, making them vulnerable to damage from dangerous substances. Soda’s acids and sugars may damage children’s teeth and create cavities. Instead of soda, kids should consume filtered water or fresh fruit juice to rehydrate. To maintain healthy teeth, youngsters should wash their teeth frequently.