What Sugary Drinks Do To Our Teeth

The average American consumes more than 23 pounds of sugar from soft drinks every year.

Sugary drinks may taste great, but they can cause tooth decay leading to serious oral health issues.

What Is a Sugary Drink?

• Sodas (including diet and sugar free sodas)
• Fruit drinks
• Sports drinks
• Energy drinks
• Iced teas
• Coffee

How Much Sugar?

• 20 oz. bottle of Mountain Dew: 77 grams of sugar
• 20 oz. bottle of Pepsi: 69 grams of sugar
• 20 oz. bottle of Coca-Cola: 65 grams of sugar
• 32 oz bottle of Gatorade and Powerade: 56 grams of
• sugar
• 16 oz can of Monster Energy: 54 grams of sugar
• 16 oz can of Red Bull: 52 grams of sugar
• 23 oz can of Arizona Green Tea: 51 grams of sugar
• 15.2 oz bottle of Minute Maid 100% Apple Juice: 49
• grams of sugar
• 16 oz Dunkin Donuts Iced Caramel Latte: 37 grams of
• sugar
• 20 oz bottle of Lipton Lemon Iced Tea: 32 grams of
• sugar
• 15.2 oz bottle of Naked Berry Blast: 29 grams of
• sugar
• 16 oz bottle of Sunny Delight: 28 grams of sugar
• Grande Starbucks Iced Flavored Latte with 2% milk: 28
• grams of sugar

How Does Sugar Cause Tooth Decay?

When drinking a soda, the sugar in the soda combines with the bacteria existing in the mouth to form acid. The acid formed, plus the extra acid in the soda, begins to attack the teeth. These attacks last for about 20 minutes and begin every time a sip is taken. The continuous attacks wear down and dissolve the outer surface of teeth enamel, causing cavities to begin. The inner layers of the tooth become exposed resulting in heightened sensitivity. If tooth decay becomes serious, restorative dental procedures such as fillings, crowns, or implants may be required.

How Do I Prevent Decay?

At Dayton Dental Collaborative, we recommend patients reduce their intake of sugary drinks and choose to drink water instead. However, if sugary drinks must be consumed, consider these tips:

• Moderate intake
• Drink it quickly
• Do not drink before bed
• Keep the drink cold
• Use a straw to keep sugar away from teeth
• Do not swish it around in your mouth
• Finish your meal with milk, cheese, or chew sugar
• free gum to neutralize the acid
• Drink fluoridated water
• Rinse mouth out with water after consumption
• Do not brush right away but wait about an hour for
• the enamel to reharden
• Use a fluoride rinse
• Schedule and attend regular dental exams

Sugary drinks are not good for teeth and overall oral health. The best way to prevent oral health issues caused by the intake of sugary drinks is to avoid them all together, but if that does not happen then moderation should occur. Always schedule and attend your regular dental exams to help prevent tooth decay and ensure it is treated properly. Click here to schedule your next exam with Dayton Dental Collaborative.