A recent study compared the effects of fizzy drinks on teeth to those of class A drugs and found the results to be similar! Some critics have questioned the results of this study, but the fact that it was even entertained by an academic researcher should give some idea of how serious the effect of fizzy drinks can be on teeth.
How does this happen?
Well the classic answer is to do with amount of sugar in fizzy drinks: The bacteria present in your mouth love to feed on sugary and starchy food. They then use these foods as fuel to produce plaque and acid, both of which cause tooth decay and other undesirable dental effects. The acid, in particular, attacks the enamel, and these attacks will occur every single time you have a starchy snack or sugary drink. It doesn’t end here, however. Fizzy drinks often contain acids within them which start these attacks prior to bacteria churning through the sugar! These acids also lower the pH of your saliva, thus allowing bacteria to multiply on your teeth and cause further damage!
Diet vs. Original
Think diet fizzy drinks make much of a difference? Standard, sugary soft drinks pack a double wallop by first weakening enamel and then having their high sugar content penetrate the tooth. Diet drinks simply weaken enamel and then let bacteria from other foods do the major damage.
Visible effects
Your teeth, after continued fizzy drink abuse, will look different as your enamel will be damaged. They won’t look as white as they had been and may appear translucent at the edges, or possibly more yellow as more dentin will be visible through your thinned enamel. The top surface of your tooth may also appear dented, curved or uneven.
Less visible effects
As you have less enamel than usual protecting the lower echelons of your tooth, you may feel more pain, irritation or general discomfort when you are chewing or drinking hot or cold liquids.
Lessen the impact
Want the odd glass of a soft drink? If you can, drink it through a straw (thus avoiding more of your teeth). Drink it quickly (as more sipping means more exposure to acid) and rinse your mouth when done. Chewing sugar free gum after also helps increase saliva production and raises the pH in your mouth. For more information on oral hygiene why not get in touch with us at Liverpool Dental Spa.
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