Last week we talked about the sugars in soda being harmful to your teeth. But did you know that it is not just the sugar in soda that is harmful to our teeth?

Harmful effects of carbonation

Sodas are carbonated and many contain acids like phosphoric acid and citric acid. These acids weaken and erode the tooth enamel, making teeth more susceptible to acid attacks from plaque. The 1-2 punch of acidity and sugar is why soda is on of the worst drink for teeth.

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Side note on diet soda

If you are wondering if diet soda is better for your teeth, the answer is: Nope. Diet soda also has acids in it that will do a number on your enamel as well. A study on soda and teeth found that regular and diet Coca Cola and Pepsi dissolved enamel 55 to 65 times more than the baseline, which was water and root beer. And, of course, Mountain Dew was the worst offender of all!

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Braces and Soda

So, what does this mean for soda and braces? Well, brackets and wires create more areas for the bacteria and plaque to hide. Effectively cleaning off plaque can be more challenging. And, if you do get cavities while your braces are on, you might have to have your braces removed to address the tooth decay, which will lengthen your treatment. But something else to consider is that teeth move more effectively in a healthy oral environment. So, best to skip drinking soda with braces altogether, or enjoy it as a rare treat.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact Dr. Hough’s office at 636.346.8213.