Diet soda contains less
or no sugar, so it's bound to be less risky for your teeth, right?
It's just as bad, according to a recent report published in General
Dentistry. This is because sugar, says the report, is hardly to
blame. Both regular and diet soda have the same level of acidity,
which can melt through the tough enamel. While diet soda contains
less sugar for bacteria to feed on, the high level of acidity can
spell disaster for your pearly whites.
When researchers compared
three sets of teeth—the first from a meth user, the second from a
cocaine user, and the third from a heavy soda drinker—the
resemblance was striking. Soda eroded teeth as much as cocaine and
meth did. Worse, all three sets of teeth were in an advanced state of
decay.
Keeping soda intake to a
minimum and brushing your teeth every day can prevent tooth decay and
tooth loss. In response to the aforementioned study, the American
Beverage Association reminded the public to drink moderate amounts of
carbonated drinks.
Keep in mind that soda is
never meant to be consumed like water. If you insist on drinking
soda, make sure to follow it up with good oral hygiene. If you can't
brush your teeth or gargle with mouthwash after drinking soda, you
should gargle with water to protect the enamel. Remember that tooth
enamel is the only thing standing between bacteria and the more
sensitive areas in your tooth.
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