Drinks that Erode our Teeth

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Drinks that Can Cause Tooth Decay

When you need to quench your thirst, think twice about which drink you choose.

According to several dental associations around the country, including the

American Dental Association, some of the most popular drinks that we consume

erode enamel and lead to tooth decay.

A proper diet is essential for good dental health, states the ADA. Every time

you eat, plaque forms and clings to your teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque

feed on the sugars from the foods or drinks, and produce acids that eat away at

minerals in the teeth and cause cavities. The higher the sugar and acid content

in your food, the greater your risk of dental problems.

Tooth decay cause severe pain and are unsightly, plus they'll take a bite out of

your purse to fill at your dentist. Also, poor oral health can contribute to

other illnesses in the body, including heart disease. Here are the leading oral

offenders you should limit or avoid so you can stay healthy and keep smiling:

1. Soda

About one in every four drinks Americans consume is soda or pop, states the ADA.

One can of regular soda may contain up to 11 teaspoons of sugar, which increases

your risk of tooth decay.

Furthermore, all soda contains phosphoric and citric acids - acids are the main

contributors to the erosion of tooth enamel. You're not out of the woods if you

primarily fill up on diet sodas because these drinks also contain these eroding

acids.

2. Sports and Energy Drinks

Two years ago the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) revealed that these

increasingly popular drinks erode tooth enamel. That's because of their

buffering capacity - which refers to a beverage's ability to neutralize acid, a

key factor in dental erosion.

After taking a look at the acidity content of five popular drinks researchers

found that high-energy and sports drinks had the highest mean buffering

capacity, and therefore, the highest potential to erode enamel. The drinks are

even more likely to cause tooth decay in adolescents and adults in their 20s

whose tooth enamel is more porous.

3. Citric Juices

It's a classic catch-22: These drinks are packed with antioxidants and nutrients

such as vitamin C that our bodies need and really benefit from - but they

contain harsh acids that strip away at tooth enamel and lead to decay. One study

found that orange juice reduced the hardness of enamel by 84 percent, whereas

tooth whitening with six percent hydrogen peroxide - the concentration found in

most tooth whitening products - had no effect on enamel hardness.

How to Limit Tooth Erosion

Drinks such as milk and tea might erode teeth, but they also protect your pearly

whites. Your best options are to drink home-brewed tea (go light on the sugar),

and drink milk with meals. These tips will also help prevent tooth decay and

keep your teeth strong:

• Drink, don't sip. If you tend to sip drinks your teeth are exposed to their

acids for a longer period so they'll be more at risk for erosion.

• Use a straw. To reduce contact with your teeth use a bent straw and position

it near to the back of your mouth when drinking juice, sports or energy drinks,

milk and iced tea.

• Can the soda. Stop drinking soda - what some call " empty foods " as they have

no nutritional value. If quitting them is impossible, limit your intake to just

three or four cans a week.

• Choose calcium-fortified juices. Research shows that these drinks can help to

prevent tooth decay, unlike un-fortified juices.

• Brush and floss regularly. Carry a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss when

you're on the go and take care of your teeth and gums in between meals and

snacks.

• Consider dental sealants. Ask your doctor about applying dental sealants to

your molars, the most susceptible victims of tooth decay. These plastic seals

can protect against your teeth for up to a couple of decades.

• Drink more water. Water helps to wash away food and juice residue after a

meal, plus, it doesn't have a high acid or sugar content that will increase your

risk of tooth decay.

Sources:

University of Rochester Medical Center press release, " Researchers Say OJ Worse

for Teeth than Whitening, " June 23, 2009