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Next time you drink soda or a sports drink, you may want to second guess your decision.
Soda and sugary sports drinks are some of the worst substances your teeth can come in contact with. The sugar and acidic nature of the drinks harm your teeth and may cause tooth decay and gum disease. The drinks attack the tooth enamel, which is the substance that is supposed to protect your teeth from these drinks.
Based on the pH of the many of these carbonated beverages, they are roughly 100,000 times more acidic than water, which is around the neutral level of 7. Anything below 5.5 on the pH scale will eat at the enamel. That’s why people that are hooked on soda or sports beverages generally don’t have the best smiles.
The companies that produce these beverages use citric and phosphoric acids to generate the fruit flavors associated with the drinks. Citric acid attracts calcium and takes it away from your teeth.
Despite the belief by some that sports drinks consumed after exercising are good for you, this is not actually true. All things considered, the best thing you can drink when thirsty is water. With water, you don’t have to worry about sugar or carbonation hurting your teeth and it also aids in rehydrating your body.
If you decide to drink soda or a sports drink, brushing directly after won’t solve the problem. In fact, it may make the problem worse because the process of brushing with the acid present in your mouth could eat away the enamel.
If you want to drink soda, the best way to do so is to consume it over a short period of time and then give your saliva the chance to neutralize the pH. If consumed properly, you can minimize the risk of developing cavities.
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