That’s my answer nowadays, and it has rapidly evolved from, “Coke and Mountain Dew are terrible for your teeth.” While that’s still true, I have found this has become the single most important aspect of educating my patients.
Just search, “What is unhealthy about carbonation?” and you’ll see the words carbonic acid in the answer. Simply put, if your drink fizzes, then it is acidic. Acid erodes tooth enamel.
What’s worse than braces? White spots when the braces come off. White squares. Call them whatever you want. What are these white areas? They are the first step in cavity formation. The calcium in your enamel has been eroded by acid.
Here’s a quick lesson on how you get a cavity: (1) bacteria must be present. That’s why we learn about brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. These oral hygiene habits help minimize bacteria in our mouths. But there’s another requirement for cavity formation: (2) acid attack. Bacteria on your teeth release acid, and it’s that acid that weakens the enamel, allowing the bacteria to get deeper into your tooth. When we drink fizzy drinks, we empower bacteria to cause cavities more easily. Fizzy drinks provide acid in addition to the acid produced by bacteria.
“But my daughter only drinks healthy drinks!” you say.
Please trust me when I say we must disregard what is written on fizzy drinks relative to our health if we value our oral health. Keep it simple: If it fizzes, it’s bad for your teeth.
Few people could possibly appreciate the benefits of straight and healthy teeth more than I do. My smile has been a blessing beyond all of my expectations. That’s another story for another time. I welcome a deeper discussion with anyone, anytime, anywhere on this topic.
—Dr. Sam Gentry
P.S. The question I’m answering is, “How do I keep my teeth and gums perfectly healthy?” My answer applies whether you have braces or not.