Many people think that since diet soda does not contain any sugar, it might be a better option to switch to regular sugary drinks so there is less harm to their health. Drinking diet soda might look like it is a healthy option, but there are many serious effects on oral health.
If you’re a resident of Sacramento, California and are worried about your teeth, visiting a dentist in Pocket-Greenhaven, Sacramento, would be a good option to check up on your oral hygiene. Diet soda contains no sugar, but it has a high level of acids, which is harmful to your teeth. It can damage your enamel, which is a protective covering, and lead to a greater risk of cavities, decay, and other dental problems.
There are various ways in which diet soda affects your teeth, and you need to be well aware of them so you can protect your teeth from acid erosion and other problems. This would help you maintain a flawless smile for all your life.
Acid Erosion: The Hidden Danger of Diet Soda
Diet sodas may be sugar-free, but that doesn’t mean they are healthy in other aspects, either. They contain high levels of acids like phosphoric and citric acid, which are major causes of enamel erosion.
Enamel is the hard outer layer of your teeth and protects them from decay. It is so important because it protects the teeth from various kinds of drinks and food items, but if they are destroyed once, they can not be renewed. This leads to long-term dental issues.
How Acid Weakens Enamel?
The acids in diet soda lower the pH level in your mouth, which causes a decrease in the levels of dissolved mineral salts present in your teeth. This leads to serious damage that can not be reversed. You should avoid having drinks with high acidic levels and rinse your mouth with water after drinking diet soda.
Increased Risk of Cavities and Sensitivity
Drinking diet soda on a regular basis destroys enamel and makes the teeth vulnerable to cavities. Once the enamel layer erodes away, it leads to the exposure of the second soft layer called dentine. This layer does not have protective qualities, which makes it easier for the bacteria to cause decay.
Cavity Formation
The weakening of the enamel leads to an easy feeding ground for the bacteria. Bacteria can easily penetrate due to the absence of a protective layer, which causes cavities and decay.
Increases Sensitivity
When the enamel is destroyed, it leads to the exposure of your nerves inside the teeth, which causes a feeling of discomfort or a stinging feeling when eating or drinking hot or cold consumables, called sensitivity.
If you experience sensitivity or have a doubt that you might have cavities, it’s important to seek professional advice. Your dentist can give you a good treatment and decrease any chances of enamel loss in the future.
Dry Mouth and Its Impact on Oral Health
If you consume diet soda on a regular basis, there is a high chance that your mouth becomes dry. This condition is known as Xerostomia. Saliva inside the mouth is important for the neutralisation of acids as well as washing away food particles. When your mouth is dry, there is less production of saliva. As a result, these processes are disturbed, and more erosion and decay happen.
How Dry Mouth Worsens Erosion
If there is not enough saliva to wash off the acids that stay in your mouth after drinking diet soda, it will stick to the teeth, which will result in damage to the teeth.
Increased Bacteria Growth
A decrease in the production of saliva leads to the growth of bacteria, which causes tooth decay and bad breath. It is, therefore, advised to drink water and chew gums that are sugar-free to increase saliva production.
Preventing Acid Erosion and Other Dental Issues
There are ways to enjoy your favourite drinks without giving up on your oral health. This can be done by decreasing the number of times you drink diet soda and rinsing your mouth with water after consumption, which will help to neutralise acid. Visiting a dentist regularly can help to keep a check on your oral health and hygiene.
Take Action to Protect Your Teeth Today!
Maintaining your oral health is a very important task and needs to be taken care of. Visit your dentist to treat any oral issues you have, like erosion or decay, or are likely to develop soon.