Pop & Dental Health
DRINKING SODA POP & YOUR DENTAL HEALTH
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The average American drinks more than 53 gallons of carbonated soft drinks each year. That is more than any other beverage, including milk, beer, coffee or water. |
Facts According to Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey:
People who drink 3 or more sugary sodas daily have 62% more dental decay, fillings and tooth loss!
Soda Pop is sweetened normally with 10-12 tsp. of high fructose corn syrup, a highly processed sugar. "Diet" pop is sweetened with artificial sweeteners. Phosphoric or citric acid (and caffeine) are added to the mix. The fructose syrup has zero nutritional value. Caffeine, a mildly addictive stimulant, causes calcium excretion which can lead to increased risk of osteoporosis and kidney stones.
 Most people believe that diet sodas are a healthier alternative. This is far from the truth! The pH of regular and diet pops ranges from 2.47-3.35. The PH in our mouth is normally about 6.2 to 7.0, slightly more acidic than water. At a PH of 5.2 to 5.5, or below, the acid begins to dissolve the hard enamel of our teeth, causing cavities and destruction of the teeth.
Phosphoric and citric acids contribute to the acidity of pop. It takes approximately 32-8oz. cans of water to neutralize one 8oz. can of soda. A can of soda is 10,000 times more acidic than your normal body ph. Below is a look at how some soda pops compare to water as well as to battery acid.
| Product |
Acid
Low=BAD |
Sugar
per 12 oz |
| Pure Water |
7.00 (neutral) |
0.0 |
| Barq's |
4.61 |
10.7 tsp. |
| Diet Coke |
3.39 |
0.0 |
| Mountain Dew |
3.22 |
11.0 tsp. |
| Gatorade |
2.95 |
3.3 tsp |
| Coke Classic |
2.63 |
9.3 tsp. |
| Pepsi |
2.49 |
9.8 tsp. |
| Sprite |
3.42 |
9.0 |
| Diet 7-Up |
3.67 |
0.0 |
| Diet Dr. Pepper |
3.41 |
0.0 |
| Surge |
3.02 |
10.0 |
| Gatorade |
2.95 |
3.3 |
| Hawaiian Fruit Punch |
2.82 |
10.2 |
| Orange Minute Maid |
2.80 |
11.2 |
| Dr. Pepper |
2.92 |
9.5 |
| BATTERY ACID |
1.00 |
0.0 |
Data Source:
Minnesota Dental Association |
The threshold pH for enamel dissolution is 5.5. |
Dr. Halmaghi, a top Michigan dentist, points out that a lot of people may not realize that phosphoric and citric acid can limit calcium absorption and have a direct effect on bone density. This becomes a serious issue for young people who require calcium in their formative years to avoid the danger of broken bones as well as later in life when osteoporosis (broken bones) can have grave dangers.
Consumption on the Rise!
Soda consumption has increased over 500% over the past 40 years. Studies have shown, for both regular and diet soft drinks, the sugar and artificial sweeteners both create a yearning for that sweet taste of sugar. Sugar can become an addiction that our bodies crave on a daily basis.
Health risks from over consumption include diabetes, kidney stones, obesity, osteoporosis, and tooth destruction. Other effects can be chronic fatigue, connective tissue breakdown, increased risk of esophageal cancer, and stress. Sugar creates serious detrimental effects to the teeth and the periodontium (the bone and gums that surround and support the teeth). Tooth decay, recurrent decay, gingival inflammation, and periodontal infections are all common side effects of the sugar loading.
Today, kids consume way too much sugar (29 to 40tsp/day) as compared to 40 years ago. Teenagers are getting approximately 40% of their sugar/energy calories from soft drinks, while they are drinking less milk and getting less calcium.
Sports Drinks
While sports and energy drinks may help athletes re-hydrate after a long workout, they can cause harmful damage to the teeth when consumed in excess. These drinks also contain phosphoric and citric acids.This group of drinks include lemonade, energy drinks, sports drinks, fitness water, and ice tea.
It may be prudent to predict that most of us will not stop consuming sodas or sports drinks. So, what can you do to limit the bad effects?
- Decrease the number of cans per day to 1.
- Consume that 1 can with a meal to help neutralize some of the acid.
- Drink through a straw to decrease the direct contact with the teeth.
- Rinse with water after drinking.
- Use a high strength fluoride mouthrinse such as ACT or Oral-B Fluorinse at least once a day for 4 minutes.
- Drink city water more often; be careful with excess bottled water consumption as you will not receive enough fluoride.
- Never drink pop when you are thirsty; this is not a way to rehydrate, it actually causes you to become more thirsty.
- Drink milk and eat cheese to help mineralize your tooth structure.
If you have any more questions or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Halmaghi, a top Michigan dentist, please call us at 248-646-2273. We are located in Southfield, Michigan. |
