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In today’s calorie-obsessed culture, it can be hard to hear the truth among all the other health-conscious noise. People are frequently misinformed and misled about the health benefits of trends such as cleanses, sugar alternatives, diets, organic vs. nonorganic, and a myriad of other common topics. Today, Anderson dentists Dr. Dale Hardy & Dr. Andrew Wilson would like to clear up any misconceptions about dental health and diet soda. If you’re looking for guidance tailored to your needs, exploring comprehensive general dentistry solutions for every smile can help you stay on the right track.
Are Diet Sodas Healthy?
The short answer: no. Originally conceived as low-calorie alternatives to one of America’s first commercial legacies, diet sodas have become extremely popular amidst our country’s never-ending battle to lose weight. There’s only one small problem—diet sodas are only marginally better than regular soda. Compared to water, diet soda has zero nutritional value and contains many ingredients that are harmful outside of moderation. If you’re trying to make smarter choices for your oral health, understanding the best and worst foods for your teeth can make a big difference.
Diet Soda & Dental Health
Diet soft drinks are not good for your teeth. Although they are not as detrimental to your smile as regular sodas, which usually have around 45g of sugar per serving, sugar is not the only problem when it comes to soda consumption. For example:
Phosphoric acid and citric acid (present in nearly every type of diet soda) eat away at your enamel, causing acid erosion. If you like to sip soda throughout the day, your teeth may be under a soda-fueled attack for several hours per day. Over time, this can contribute to issues explained in the science of tooth decay.
Carbonated colas have been shown to cause bone loss. As part of the body’s attempt to neutralize the disruption to pH levels in the stomach, calcium and other essential minerals are leached from the bloodstream to maintain pH equilibrium.
Artificial sweeteners in diet sodas, such as aspartame and sucralose, may help stall tooth decay, but health advocates warn that they may be linked to headaches and weight gain.
Diet sodas often contain caffeine, which has diuretic and laxative properties. Combined with the fact that drinking diet soda often means you are drinking less water can lead to a chronic dehydration problem. Dehydration can lead to dry mouth, bad breath, and increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay. If this sounds familiar, you may want to learn more about dry mouth and its effects on oral health and how to manage it.
Do You Have to Give up Diet Soda?
We know that lots of folks love their soda and Dr. Hardy & Dr. Wilson won’t tell anyone what they can and can’t drink, but the Cornerstone Dentistry team also wants you to make informed decisions about your health—especially if you hope to keep your teeth around with you for life. Routine care like professional dental cleanings and regular checkups can help minimize the effects of dietary habits on your smile.
We want everyone to have beautiful smiles and strong teeth, but it’s up to you to maintain healthy habits that keep your teeth safe between visits to our office. If you have any questions or would like to visit us for an evaluation, contact us today!
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
