Sip All Day Get Decay!
A steady diet of soft drinks is a leading cause of tooth decay and has been linked to diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis.
Here’s how you get cavities:
*Sugar in pop combines with bateria in your mouth to form acid.
*Diet or “sugar-free” pop contains its own acid.
*Acid in soft drinks, wheather they contain sugar or not, is the primary cause of weakening tooth enamel.
*The acid attacks your teeth. Each acid attach lasts 20 minutes.
*The acid attack starts over again with every sip.
*Ongoing acid attacks weakens your tooth enamel.
*Bacteria in your mouth cause cavities when tooth enamel is damaged.
*If you have a receding gum line, acid does more damage below the line than above it. This is a particularly a concern for adults.
How to reduce decay:
*Drink soft drinks in moderation.
*Don’t sip for extended periods of time. Ongoing sipping prolongs sugar and acid attacks on your teeth.
*Use a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth.
*After drinking, swish your mouth out with water to dilute the sugar.
*Never drink pop or juice before bedtime because the liquid pools in your mouth and coats your tongue and teeth with sugar and acid.
*Read labels. Regular pop is high in sugar. And diet or “sugar-free” pop is high in acid. Sugar and acid are bad for your teeth.
*Drink water instead of pop. It has no sugar, no acid and no calories.
*Get regular checkups and cleanings to remove bateria buildup (plaque). Floss too.
*Fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth.