There have been countless articles and journals reporting that carbonated drinks can cause much damage to the teeth, but how damaging can these drinks be? A recent study was able to show that the damage done by these drinks is comparable to that of drugs including methamphetamine and cocaine. The acidic nature of carbonated drinks has been shown to wear away tooth enamel, which is the protective material covering the outside of the tooth. With continual exposure to this acid, tooth erosion results. When teeth lack enamel, teeth are more prone to bacterial damage, leading to cracked and discolored teeth, and a higher risk of developing cavities. General Dentistry was able to run a study depicting the severity of tooth erosion in various patients. The study looked into three different individuals: one who has admitted methamphetamine user, a longtime cocaine user, and another who expressed a habit of excessive soda consumption. Each of the three participants had also admitted that that do not maintain good oral hygiene and they also do not make consistent visits to the dentist’s office. While each of the participants were exposed to completely different substances, results showed that the severity of tooth erosion were relatively similar in each case. The researchers explained that methamphetamine, cocaine, and soda are all high in acidity, which leads to the wearing down of tooth enamel. While methamphetamine requires harsh ingredients including battery acid, lantern fuel, and drain cleaner, the citric acid found in regular and diet soda can be just as corrosive and harmful to teeth. Many individuals hear of the detrimental consequences of drinking excessive soda; however, they are unaware of exactly how damaging soda can be. These results truly shed light on the importance of being mindful of what you drink. This is a wake up call for those who do not think twice when they drink bottle after bottle of carbonated drinks. If you have any questions feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and the caring team at Wellesley Dental Group; they will be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to set up an appointment and consultation! Read more here and also check out this article on sports & energy drinks! References: http://www.agd.org/media/145594/soda_meth_mouth.pdf http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tooth-enamel-erosion-restoration
