Dentist Columbia SC

When you need to quench your thirst, think twice about which drink you choose. According to several dental associations around the country, including the American Dental Association, some of the most popular drinks that we consume erode enamel and lead to tooth decay.

A proper diet is essential for good dental health, states the ADA. Every time you eat, plaque forms and clings to your teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque feed on the sugars from the foods or drinks, and produce acids that eat away at minerals in the teeth and cause cavities. The higher the sugar and acid content in your food, the greater your risk of dental problems.

Tooth decay cause severe pain and are unsightly, plus they'll take a bite out of your purse to fill at your dentist. Also, poor oral health can contribute to other illnesses in the body, including heart disease. Here are the leading oral offenders you should limit or avoid so you can stay healthy and keep smiling:

1. Soda

About one in every four drinks Americans consume is soda or pop, states the ADA. One can of regular soda may contain up to 11 teaspoons of sugar, which increases your risk of tooth decay.

Furthermore, soda contains phosphoric and citric acids - acids are the main contributors to the erosion of tooth enamel. You're not out of the woods if you primarily fill up on diet sodas because these drinks also contain these eroding acids.

2. Sports and Energy Drinks

Two years ago the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) revealed that these increasingly popular drinks erode tooth enamel. That's because of their buffering capacity - which refers to a beverage's ability to neutralize acid, a key factor in dental erosion...

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