How bad is Coca-Cola for your teeth?

It's no secret that heavy soda consumption has many deleterious health consequences, including diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis. But, it is the close link between the consumption of Coca Cola – and other sugary sodas – and tooth decay that interests us today. Nutrident explains in detail the effects of sodas on teeth.

Recent behavioural changes

Over the past generation, water and milk consumption has declined, while soft drink consumption has increased dramatically. It has become a daily habit for an increasing number of people, especially children, teenagers and young adults to drink sodas, and this regular consumption is one of the main causes of tooth decay.

This doesn't mean you should never drink soda, but you should do so in moderation. Note, however, that water is still the best drink to keep you hydrated !

How soda attacks your teeth

The sugar in soda combines with the bacteria in your mouth to form acid that attacks your teeth. Other beverages, such as sports drinks, sweetened iced teas and fruit juices are just as harmful.

Sugar-free soda contains its own acid that can also damage teeth. When you drink Coke Zero or Diet Coke, you don't gain weight, but the effect on your teeth is almost as bad as with regular Coke.

Each sip is an attack that lasts about 20 minutes and starts again with every sip of soda you take. Sipping soda all day is the worst thing you can do for your teeth, because they are constantly under attack.

These continuous acid attacks weaken tooth enamel. Children and teenagers are the most likely to have tooth decay, because their enamel is not fully developed.

The effects of phosphoric acid

The phosphoric acid in sodas damages your teeth because of its low pH level. The contact between phosphoric acid and your teeth weakens and softens the enamel and stimulates the formation of plaque.

Plaque formation leads to further erosion of the enamel and, if it becomes severe enough, this erosion can break through the enamel and trigger some tooth sensitivity.

This is why, contrary to popular belief, you should wait about 30 minutes after drinking a soda before brushing your teeth. The enamel softened by the phosphoric acid is fragile, but after half an hour it has returned to its normal state and it is safe to brush your teeth again.

The two main effects of soda on your teeth : erosion and cavities

Erosion and cavities are the two main effects of soda consumption on teeth.

Dental erosion

Erosion begins when the acids from soft drinks meet the tooth enamel, which is the outermost protective layer of your teeth. Their effect is to reduce the surface hardness of the enamel.

Cavities

Soft drinks, on the other hand, can also affect the next layer, the dentin, and even composite fillings. This damage to your tooth enamel can lead to cavities.

Cavities develop more in people who regularly drink soft drinks. Add to that poor oral hygiene, and you can take a loyalty card to your dentist.

How to prevent damage from soda?

The obvious and radical solution? Stop drinking soda. However, if this is what you really want, you can continue, as long as you respect a few principles.

Drink in moderation – no more than one soft drink a day – and drink it quickly. The longer you take to drink a soft drink, the more damage it can do to your teeth. The faster you drink, the less time the sugars and acids have to damage your teeth.

Use a straw to avoid contact with harmful acids and sugars, and your teeth.

Then rinse your mouth with water to remove any remaining sugars and acids to prevent them from attacking your teeth.

Wait thirty minutes before brushing your teeth until the structure of your enamel has recovered, as explained above.

Never go to bed without brushing your teeth, there is no exception to this rule. Otherwise, sugar will have every opportunity to attack your teeth, especially since saliva production decreases during sleep and, consequently, your teeth are less protected.

Besides that, did you know that dark chocolate is good for your teeth?