So I have previously written about how sports and energy drinks can cause permanent tooth damage. See the post https://blog.teethremoval.com/sports-and-energy-drinks-can-cause-permanent-tooth-damage/ where it is mentioned that the high acidity levels in the drinks erode tooth enamel. Similar sentiments are echoed in a more recent article titled “Three-dimensional profilometric assessment of early enamel erosion simulating gastric regurgitation,” appearing in the Journal of Dentistry in 2014 written by Chelsea Mann and et al.
The researchers in this more recent article present results to show that lifelong damage is caused by acidity to teeth within the first 30 seconds of an acid attack. The researchers state that dental erosion is often detected clinically after extensive tooth wear has already occurred. Furthermore, the researchers state that drinks high in acidity like sports drinks, soft drinks, and fruit juice when combined with night time tooth grinding can cause major and permanent damage to teeth.
The researchers also discuss a triple threat: where those under age 20 consume drinks high in acid, grind their teeth at night, and also have an undiagnosed regurgitation. The researchers encourage parents to keep an eye on how much fruit juice, sports drinks, and soft drinks their children consume. The researchers say that even if these drinks are consumed one can’t just go brush the teeth an hour later and hope that the teeth will be okay as the damage is already done.
The researchers say that children should consume fresh fruit instead of consuming some fruit through juice. Of course many children like their high acid drinks so breaking this habit may be difficult. Parents should find ways to encourage their children to drink water and other drinks that are not high in acid. This may take some further motivation and encouragement.
I used to drink a lot of soda in my twenties and my teeth paid the price. Grooves started appearing at the top of my teeth and I had to get them filled.
Because of this I now drink a lot less soda than I used to. I will now have 1 or 2 cans a month whereas I used to have that a day.
This article is very interesting. Many people’s favorite drinks are sugary and acidic as mentioned in the article. Most people don’t think about how the drinks they drink can hurt their teeth. They mostly worry about the sugar causing weight gain. Thank you for the insight.
Hi All,
As a Dentist, We will never prefer Soda for Patients, Please stop drinking Soda and high acid drinks like Pepsi, cola, coke classic etc are not good for your teeth.