Brats, burgers, chips, soda…all the ingredients of one of our favorite summer pastimes in Wisconsin: the backyard cookout. It’s pretty easy to head to another weekend cookout, 4th of July barbecue, or party with friends and partake of one of America’s favorite beverages. Here’s why you should think again before you pop the top off that soda can.
Sodas, even diet sodas, contain sugar which can mingle with bacteria in your mouth to form acid. The acid from this reaction attacks your teeth and can decay outer and interior tooth enamel. Scientific studies have shown a strong connection between sodas and tooth decay.
Some people with cavities experience symptoms, such as a toothache or increased sensitivity to cold or hot foods. Often a patient can feel tiny holes in their teeth. Frequently, though, a person has no way of knowing if they have a cavity or even many cavities. If left untreated, damage from the cavities can worsen and cause more dental issues. The only way to find those cavities is with routine dental exams.
However, if you can’t resist the delicious occasional soda, use these tips to decrease your chance of cavities:
- Limit your soda consumption.
- Brush your teeth regularly and floss every day.
- Schedule regular dentist appointments and cleanings.
- Use a straw when you drink soda.
- Drink water after soda (or instead of soda), and swish in your mouth to reduce the amount of sugar on your teeth.
- Try to avoid soda before sleeping.
- Avoid sipping a soda for long periods of time.
If you have any questions about cavities, or are worried you have a cavity, schedule a dentist appointment to get a final diagnosis and to find out how to treat your cavity.
