Habits are hard to break. Some of us look forward to the time of day when we can enjoy a can of pop (or soda, depending on where you live, but that’s a whole other topic for another day).
Drinking pop is one of the worst things you can do for your oral health. One can contains 10 teaspoons of sugar. If that doesn’t sound like a lot, feel free to get out the sugar jar and scoop out 10 teaspoons for effect. It’s a lot. The sugar found in soda is the simplest form of carbohydrate, which means it’s the kind the mouth bacteria like most, which leads quickly to cavities. On top of that, we DRINK pop, so it easily reaches all parts of the mouth and in between the teeth, where it enjoys camping out and dissolving enamel. Although switching to a diet pop may sound like a good solution, due to its lack of sugar content, diet drinks contain harmful acidic ingredients that will land you in the dental chair much faster than the faithful water drinker.
For many, giving up pop doesn’t sound like a viable option. So, at the very least, try drinking soda with food, to help break down the acid build up. Also, be sure to drink a glass of water afterward to wash off stubborn, sticky sugars. Soda before bed is a big no no, because it has all night to sit on tooth enamel, eroding it slowly. This may be a stretch, but try switching out sugary drinks for an apple or even a flavored water (if you must), and your mouth will thank you in the long run!
If you like the sound of avoiding the dentist, lay off the sugary drinks, pop especially. And of course, come see us for your regular cleanings and check- ups, so we can identify any issues before things get more serious.