To Drink or Not to Drink?

Soft drinks and sodas are a treat that many Australians enjoy with their meals and throughout the day. These drinks provide a refreshing sensation and can quickly become an addictive must-have feature of every meal. The simple truth about soft drinks is that they are not good for you, and can have a disastrous effect on your waistline, and your smile.

Despite our best cleaning efforts, harmful bacteria live on our teeth and in our mouths, and thrive off the sugars in our diet. When sugars are broken down by these bugs, an acid attack is formed that begins to dissolve the outer enamel layer of your pearly whites, producing cavities and causing erosion.

Unfortunately, even drinks that have a ‘ZERO SUGAR’ label can be harmful to your teeth due to their high acid content. And if you thought natural sugars found in juices were ok, think again! One cup of apple juice can have up to 9 teaspoons of sugar in it: that’s nearly ALL of the recommended* daily calories from sugar!

Replacing sugary and acidic drinks can be a daunting task but your teeth and overall health will love you all the better for it. Instead of soda water, drink plain fluoridated tap water; instead of energy drinks, think unsweetened milk for your energy needs. Not only does milk contain far less sugar than your average sweetened beverage, and none of the acidic effects of carbonated sodas, it provides CALCIUM, a necessary repairing element for teeth injured by sugars and acids. Those with lactose intolerances can receive the benefits of milk by drinking unsweetened milk substitutes with added calcium.

So what if you’re really craving that soft drink? Here’s 3 ways you can enjoy the soft drink while reducing its negative effects on your teeth:

Drink it through a straw. A straw helps to bypass the teeth and avoid acids washing over them for too long.
Have it with a meal. Sugars in drinks will have less of an effect on your teeth if your saliva glands are healthy and pumping, which they usually are during a meal! This is the best time to have any sweets (within reason) throughout the day.
Neutralise the acid. Washing your mouth out with water, or drinking water directly after an acid attack, can help to deactivate the acids and prevent their harmful action on your enamel.

Naturally, brushing your teeth twice a day, and flossing regularly will keep the levels of harmful bacteria living in your mouth and on your teeth at a minimum! So keep up the brushing, and strongly consider substituting sugary and acidic drinks for unsweetened and more neutral drinks like water and plain milk.

*Based on the daily recommended calories from added sugars by the American Heart Association.