Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Is Your Favorite Soda Hurting Your Teeth?

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Did you have that soda with lunch? How about the big glass of OJ for breakfast? The average soft drink is 20 ounces and contains 17 teaspoons of sugar. Some of the citric acids found in fruit juice and soft drinks are more erosive that sulfuric acid. Both of these common beverages can cause tooth erosion, a process that destroys the enamel of your teeth. Once your tooth enamel is lost, it can't be regained. However there are some things that you can do to help save your enamel
When deciding between the many options available, the best thing to drink to avoid tooth erosion is brewed tea, according to a study in General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
Brewed tea, either hot or iced tastes great and has many other health benefits. Tea is loaded with natural antioxidants, which are thought to decrease incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
The study found that the erosive effect of tea was similar to that of water, which has no effect. And, when comparing green tea versus black tea, the difference is clear. Studies in Japan and Europe have shown that green tea has more flavonoids and antioxidants which are great for your general health. If you do drink black or green tea try to avoid adding milk, lemon or sugar because they decrease the health benefits of the beverage. Pre-packaged iced tea mixes are not the same as brewed tea because they often contain the same citric acids and sugars that erode enamel.
If your teeth have become sensitive to hot or cold sensations you may be experiencing tooth erosion. Please contact our office as soon as possible to explore your options.
Tips to decrease erosion:
Reduce or eliminate carbonated beverages. Instead, drink water, milk, or tea
Skip the additives such as sugar, lemon, and milk
Drink acidic drinks quickly and through a straw
Chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva flow in your mouth
Rinse with water to neutralize the acids, and wait an hour before brushing
Please call us for an examination at 561-394-9000, we are here to help!

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.