Soda, Coke, Soft Drinks, Energy Drinks—whatever you call them, they’re bad for teeth.
You probably know that soft drinks aren’t good for you. They are high in sugar and provide little nutrition other than some “empty calories.” Even if you enjoy the diet/zero calorie versions, the acid content can be a problem.
That’s because the carbonation that provides the fizz and bubbles also contains carbonic acid, which can raise the ph balance of the mouth and weaken tooth enamel. Additionally, most soft drinks use either citric or phosphoric acids as flavoring agents or preservatives, so soft drinks can be especially hard on teeth.
If you’ve had problems with cavities and tooth decay, one of the best ways to prevent future problems is to stop drinking carbonated soft drinks and other sugary beverages. If you do find yourself having one on occasion, use water afterward to rinse out your mouth and help protect teeth against acidity.
Alternatives to Drinking Soda
- Drink sugar-free, non-carbonated beverages such as green tea.
- Looking for energy? Instead of sugary soda or energy drinks, have a healthy snack instead.
- Drink plenty of water. Becoming thirsty and dehydrated can trigger a soda craving.
- Give your water a healthy twist by infusing it with fresh fruits, cucumber, etc.
- Have a glass of milk. It has an almost neutral ph and contains vital nutrients such as calcium.
Dr. Angela Burns moved to Austin 10 years ago and instantly fell in love with our beautiful city. Dr. Burns is originally from the Texarkana area. She attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate degree and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center for her degree in dental surgery (DDS). Dr. Burns is committed to providing her patients with gentle, technologically advanced dental treatment. She attends an average of 60 hours of continuing education every year. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, and the Capital Area Dental Society. Dr. Burns and her husband, Gary, have an 11-year-old daughter, Sydney, who is a proud 6th grader at Hill Country Middle School. She is also very involved in the Eanes PTO, her church, and loves raising her family in the Westlake community. “Growing up, I was drawn to mediating and helping others feel more included and less anxious. I was a camp counselor, student government officer and being the oldest of five, I was the family mediator. I found that I had a calling to help alleviate stressful situations for others and realized that being a good listener was something that was key to this. These skills really helped guide me into becoming a dentist that has based my practice on relationships, empathy and a sense of comfort. I knew that I wanted to provide an atmosphere that felt like home when others walked in. Our practice is small, personal and state of the art and we hope you feel like you’re hanging out with friends when you are here!” When she is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Burns enjoys traveling, hiking the greenbelt, enjoying Austin’s music scene, and eating Amy’s Ice Cream.
