The quality of your diet is connected to oral health, states the American Dental Association, or ADA. As Americans consume more soft drinks and other sweet snacks, many dentists fear these unhealthy dietary habits will lead to increased tooth decay earlier in life. Sugary beverages like soda pop are more likely to rot your teeth than other types of food and drinks.
Plaque and Tooth Decay
The ADA defines tooth decay very simply as "destruction of the tooth enamel." The foods you eat and beverages you consume leave behind a sticky film called plaque. The bacteria normally present in your mouth feed on plaque; when it does, they create acids that eat away at your teeth. Tooth decay, or cavities, can lead to more serious complications, such as irreversible gum disease and tooth loss.
Sugar Dangers
A regular soda pop may have more than 1 g of sugar per every fluid ounce. A 12-oz. can of cola has around 10 tsp. sugar; an orange soda of the same size has 11 tsp. sugar. The ADA explains that tooth decay occurs when residue from sugars and starches -- carbohydrates -- are allowed to remain on your teeth. The bacteria these foods attract can go on a feeding frenzy for up to 20 minutes, producing enamel-destroying acid.
Oral Hygiene
Avoid tooth decay by eating a healthy diet and restrict the number of snacks you eat in between meals, according to the ADA. Opt for diet sodas or water. According to MayoClinic.com, milk is a better choice for children than 100 percent fruit juice, which still has a lot of natural sugar. Brush your teeth at least twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste approved by the ADA. Floss at least once a day to remove plaque hidden between your teeth.
Other Sugar Cautions
Soda pop and other sweet foods and drinks aren't just linked to tooth decay. Excessive consumption of added sugars contributes to poor nutrition, weight gain, obesity and high triglyceride levels. MayoClinic.com reports that most Americans get more than 355 calories from added sugars each day, which is far more than what they should have. The American Heart Association recommends that women get no more than 100 calories daily from added sugar; men should get no more than 150 calories. The healthiest beverage choices for adults are those that have no calories, such as water and unsweetened tea.
Member Comments