Studies show that Americans drink 56 gallons of soda every year. One of the main ingredients in soda is sugar. When the sugar from soda mixes with the plaque bacteria in the mouth, it makes an acid. This acid then wears away at the enamel on teeth which can lead to cavities. The acid can work for up to 20 minutes with each sip of soda you take. Even diet or sugar-free sodas and many fruit drinks have acid that can harm your teeth. Follow these tips to help cut down on the amount of tooth decay:
- Limit the amount of soda you drink by ordering a smaller size.
- Drink soda from a can, instead of a bottle with a replaceable lid, to keep yourself from sipping all day long.
- Drink water after drinking soda. This will help rinse the sugar off of your teeth.
- Drink soda with a straw. This will help keep the soda away from your teeth.
Most importantly, visit your dentist every six months to have your teeth examined and cleaned. So what should you drink? The best substitute for soda is water. Consider these water facts:
· Your body is about 80% water. Many things you drink, such as soda, actually take water from your body. Drinking water is the best way to keep the proper amount of water in your body.
· Water plays a vital role in nearly every bodily function. It helps your body digest food, absorb nutrients, circulate blood, remove toxins, and stay cool. When your body gets low on water, it doesn’t work as well.
· Doctors recommend drinking at least eight glasses of water every day. And, while bottled water may seem cleaner than tap water, tap water usually has higher levels of fluoride, which helps protect teeth from decay.
Ben Rubin, Jr. MD