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Posted on 1/10/2019 by Fairmount Dental Center |
 If you drink diet soda, you are already watching out for your body by cutting out unnecessary calories. However, is it beneficial for your teeth to drink diet, or just as harmful as regular sodas? Knowing the difference and how it affects you can help you better manage your oral health.Reduced Sugar One of the main selling points of diet soda is that it has reduced or zero sugars, which is of great benefit to diabetics and people on restricted calorie diets. This is also a good thing for your mouth, as reducing the amount of sugar you take in likewise cuts back on the amount of fuel oral bacteria have to thrive on. It is a synergy that directly benefits both your body and your mouth. Full Acidity However, one of the major problems with drinking bubbly beverages is still true even when the soda is diet. Carbonated sodas are acidic, which wears away at the enamel of your teeth and exposes the sensitive underlying dentin, leading to increased risk of future complications and irritation. At the same time, it should be noted that the sugars in regular sodas are broken down by bacteria into acid, which exacerbates this problem further, whereas non-sugared drinks do not have this problem. Regardless of whether you drink sugared or sugar-free sodas, it is a good idea to cut back on them, to drink them with straws to avoid splashing acidic liquids over your teeth, and to be sure to rinse your mouth out with water after drinking to dilute and remove any lingering liquid. If you have any questions about the interactions between your favorite foods and drink, or would like advice on which should be avoided and which should be indulged, feel free to contact our office. We'd love to bring a smile to your face! |
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