It’s common to find most American families turn to sugary drinks like soda, energy drinks, sweetened coffee, or fruit juice daily. Families who ingest these drinks probably aren’t aware of the effects these beverages have on their health. While drinking these beverages regularly contribute to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and an increase in risk of heart disease, drinking these sugary drinks also have detrimental consequences to your dental health.
What Makes Sugary Drinks So Harmful?
Did you know that soda is considered the most harmful of all the surgery drinks out there? This is because they included acids such as phosphoric acid, carbonic acid, and citric acid among their top ingredients. Our mouths naturally contain harmful bacteria that interacts with sugars consumed and produces acid as a result. The acid is harmful enough on its own, but when mixed with the acids found in sugary drinks, the result is an even greater risk of dental damage. Diet and sugar-free drinks aren’t much better as these drinks are still really high in acids. This not only applies to soft drinks but beverages with high sugar content like fruit juice or sports drinks still interact with the bacteria in your mouth to produce damaging acids. This means even if you don’t drink sodas, you can still be at risk for dental damage caused by this acid. What happens to your teeth with these acids?
Enamel Erosion and Cavities
The hardest substance in the human body is tooth enamel, but that doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. Enamel is the protective layer on the outside of your teeth, which means if you were to lose any of it, it would become weaker, thinner, and more susceptible to tooth decay. The mixed acids created while drinking sugary drinks can erode the enamel on your teeth. Enamel erosion has symptoms such as sensitivity to hot or cold foods and discoloration of the teeth. Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be reversed.
Over time as the enamel erodes, it can expose the inner layer of the teeth (this layer is known as dentin). The exposure of this layer is painful alone and it can also lead to the creation of cavities. Cavities can be difficult to locate in the early stages but once they’ve begun to progress, signs include pain or sensitivity, dark stain on teeth, and even holes appearing in teeth.
Importance of Dental Insurance
If you’ve been consuming a lot of sugary drinks lately, visiting your dentist should be on the top of your to-do list! Checking on your dental health is important, if you are experiencing the beginnings of enamel erosion or tooth decay, a visit to the dentist could help prevent any further issue. Dental insurance will help ease your worries about the effects that going to the dentist can have on your bank account. Most companies offer a dental coverage plan, but if your company does not, a private plan with a great alternative. Reach out to your local agent to learn more about the options available to you.