How Does Soda Affect Your Teeth?  

Soda has become such a staple of American life that restaurants offer it with every meal. People can stop at any convenience store and fill a cup with the same amount of soda that is in four or more 12-ounce cans. Drinking soda regularly increases the risk of serious health issues, like obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Unfortunately, soda isn’t any better for the teeth than it is for the body. Educating patients about its potential dangers is just a small part of our general dentistry services in West Salem, Wisconsin.

Excess Soda Consumption Causes Tooth Erosion and Cavities

Most types of soda are acidic to give it the bubbly flavor and sensation that people have become accustomed to over time. Some have even developed an addiction to soda. If you choose to drink diet soda to save calories, you should know that it causes the same type of damage to your oral health as regular soda.

When the acids in soda connect with tooth enamel, they naturally begin to erode it. Enamel is the hard, protective outer layer of your teeth. Fruit juice and sports drinks can also damage tooth enamel. These drinks typically do not cause cavities because the acidity is milder and does not break through to deeper layers of the teeth.

The ingredients in soda can quickly penetrate the enamel in teeth and reach the dentin, which is its inner layer. Excess soda consumption is enough of an oral health risk on its own. However, the risk becomes even greater when you neglect your oral hygiene.

Schedule a Preventive Cleaning Today

Visiting Allen Dental twice a year for professional teeth cleaning and tips on how to care for your teeth at home is the best way to prevent tooth decay and cavities. Feel free to request a preventive care appointment in West Salem, Wisconsin by calling 608-786-3303.