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Are you a soda drinker? Do you like canned fruit punch, juice boxes, bottled tea, lemonade and other sugary drinks? Typically, Americans drink, on average, 53 gallons of soda a year, with the consumption of soft drinks increasing by 500% in the last 50 years. Drinking your favorite fizzy, sugary drink is rotting your teeth. Sodas rank high in acidity, and when it comes to your mouth, that acidity can speed up the development of cavities. Your teeth become susceptible to cavities when the acid level of your saliva falls below a certain point. If the acid level stays below this point for an extended period of time, the outer layers of your teeth begin to lose minerals and cavities can form. The phosphoric acid in soda, which is what, keeps it nice and bubbly dissolves the calcium out of your teeth�s enamel, leaving them soft and unprotected. Sugar-free sodas are not the answer either, since they still contain the same amount of damaging phosphoric acid. What is Tooth Decay? Tooth decay is a degenerative oral health condition that results from the breakdown of tooth enamel, which can lead to the development of holes in your teeth, otherwise known as cavities. Tooth decay can often be caused by your dietary choices and oral hygiene practices. Many of the foods that we eat contain sugars and starches, which cause plaque to combine with the bacteria that live in the mouth producing acids that damage the tooth enamel causing tooth decay. Maintaining a healthy diet with proper nutrition is essential in the promotion of good oral hygiene and avoidance of tooth decay. Foods and drinks that are high in sugars are more prone to form the acid that attacks the tooth enamel, resulting in decay. Limiting foods and drinks that are high in sugar and carbonation, such as soda, can help to prevent tooth decay and improve your oral hygiene. What you can do to Avoid and Eliminate Soda Children, adolescents and adults can all benefit from reducing the number of soft drinks they consume, as well as from available oral care therapies. Try substituting different drinks. Stock the refrigerator with beverages containing less sugar and acid such as water, milk and 100 percent fruit juice. Drink them yourself and encourage your children to do the same. If you cannot completely cut soda out of your diet, immediately rinse your mouth out with water after consumption of a soft drink. By rinsing with water, you are helping to remove vestiges of the drink that can prolong exposure of tooth enamel to acids. By using fluoride toothpastes, you can also reduce cavities and strengthen tooth enamel. In addition to using fluoride toothpaste, your dentist can recommend a fluoride mouthwash that can help as well. Your dentist can apply fluoride in the form of foam, gel or rinse in the office. Soft drinks are extremely hard on your teeth. By reducing the amount of soda you consumer, practicing good oral hygiene, and seeking help from your dentist you can counteract their effect and enjoy better oral health. Eliminate the soda and you can begin the right track to a health, glowing smile, void of decay. Visit your dentist in Elmhurst today to properly treat and clean your teeth, further preventing tooth decay.
Sean Hartmen writes for the dentistry of Dr. John S. Aiello, a dentist in La Grange, IL. This cosmetic dentist in La Grange, Elmhurst, Melrose Park and Westchester provides an array of cosmetic dental care and treatment for patients of all ages.
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