Truly, the tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, being even harder than bone! It’s about as hard as steel, however, certain things can break it down.
Carbonated drinks damage the enamel through a process known as erosion – the wearing away of tooth surface by an acid which dissolves the enamel and dentine. A good example of external sources of these acids are carbonated beverages. Carbonated beverages are those that contain dissolved carbon dioxide in water which make the drinks bubbly and fizzy, as seen in carbonated soft drinks, carbonated energy drinks, carbonated wine, sparkling water etc.
Damage to the enamel caused by these drinks is multi-pronged because besides the acid contained in the drinks, the sugars interact with bacteria in the mouth to produce more acid which further attack the teeth. In addition to the erosion, tooth cavities may also occur because the tooth is then vulnerable to decay. Erosion can lead to tooth sensitivity due to exposure of the dentine caused by wearing away of the enamel. It can also lead to tooth discoloration, shiny surfaces on the tooth indicating mineral loss, chips and cracks in the teeth, rough appearance of the tooth surface and so on.
Now you’re probably wondering if this means you should never have carbonated drinks or if there’s a way you can prevent damage to your teeth. The following tips might help to prevent or minimize damage caused to the teeth by carbonated drinks.
- Consider reducing your intake of carbonated drinks.
- Make use of a straw as this delivers the drink directly to the back of the mouth hence minimizing direct contact with the teeth.
- Rinse your mouth with water afterwards to get rid of remaining sugars and acids.
- Brush your teeth about 30 minutes to an hour after having carbonated drinks, and not immediately after. This wait is necessary because immediately after drinking carbonated drinks, the acidic attack is ongoing and the enamel is weakened. Brushing at this time will only help the acid and cause the tooth surface to wear away more easily.
- Avoid carbonated drinks before bedtime. During sleep, saliva flow and its protective functions are reduced hence the sugars and acids will remain on the teeth surfaces and continue the destructive process.
- Regular dental checkups and cleanings to take proactive measures against damage to the teeth and maintain overall oral health.
Photocredit: Men’sJournal, Green seed