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Soda and Your Teeth

According to some data, approximately one in five Americans drinks at least one serving of soda per day, with many drinking much more. Soda, as you may have already heard, is packed with sugar and acids like tartaric acid, citric acid, and phosphoric acid, all of which eat away at the enamel of your teeth, and feed the acid-producing bacteria that cause cavities.

Worse yet, despite not containing sugar, diet sodas are still packed with acids, making them dangerous to the tooth enamel as well. But quitting soda can be a hard habit to break, as they say, especially when many people become accustomed to the caffeine found in these bubbly beverages.

So, what can you do if you’re a soda fanatic, but want a healthy, beautiful smile too? Read on for some tips for soda lovers.

Drink Water

Yes, you should drink water exclusively and ditch your soda habit for good, but if you can’t, that’s okay. Just be sure to drink a glass of water between sodas, so you rinse away the sugar and acids that are clinging to your teeth.

Switch to Diet

Yes, diet soda still has its caveats, as we mentioned before. But even diet soda is better for your teeth (and your overall health) than regular sugar sodas. Just treat them as you would a regular soda and be sure to rinse with water after consuming.

Brush and Floss Your Teeth

It goes without saying that you should be brushing and flossing your teeth daily, at least twice per day, but it’s imperative that you do so if you drink a lot of soda. Brushing will help get all that sugar and acid off your teeth and kill that bad bacteria looking to snack on food debris in your mouth, and flossing will help remove sugars from between your teeth.

Pay Your Dentist a Visit

Dr. Mingus recommends you come in for a cleaning and exam twice per year, or once at a minimum. This can help check your teeth to see if any new cavities are forming, or if you are at risk for gum diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mingus, please contact the office today.