Soda is Bad News for Your Teeth Carbonated soft drinks account for almost one-third of Americans' beverage consumption. Drinking canned soda, even the diet variety, can cause your teeth to look older than they are. The phosphoric acid in soda wears away the hard enamel layer, the artificial caramel coloring stains teeth a dullish brown, and the sugar feeds destructive bacteria that live in your mouth, resulting in decay-producing acids. And perhaps worst of all, some scientists believe that drinking too much soda can actually weaken your jawbone, increasing the chances of losing teeth. Canned soft drinks contain high amounts of phosphorus, a mineral that can leach calcium from your bones if you consume too much. This can lead to osteoporosis, a condition that makes bones brittle, frail, and susceptible to fracture. How does this affect your teeth? Your jaws are made of bone, and as your bones weaken from insufficient calcium, their grasp on your teeth becomes weak. Eventually your teeth loosen and fall out. "We see a number of young women in their teens who, I believe because of poor dietary habits such as drinking diet soda and not getting enough calcium, have the jaws of much older women," said Ken Wical, D.D.S., professor of restorative dentistry at Loma Linda University. Dr. Wical added that "by the time they are in their thirties, these women frequently lose their natural teeth and are wearing dentures." Drinking soda in place of milk can have serious consequences for your bones. Americans today drink 70 percent more soda than they did in the early 1980s, often at the expense of other, more healthful beverage choices. Without drinking milk, it can be difficult to get the 1000-plus milligrams of calcium you need each day. Drink Milk Instead! So next time you're thirsty, reach for a glass of low fat milk (or calcium-fortified soy milk) instead of a soda. That way, your beverage won't be staining your teeth or wearing away their enamel. And you'll be strengthening your bones and teeth, which will go a long way to insuring that your natural smile lasts a lifetime. [Home] [Our Company] [Services] [Office and Staff] [Directions] [FAQ’s] [AID’s] [Baby Bottle] [Emergencies] [Fluoridation] [Halitosis / Bad Breath] [Invisalign] [Nitrous Oxide] [Nutrition and Dental Health] [Oral Hygiene] [Periodontal Diseases] [Post-Op Instructions] [Dry Socket] [Primary and Permanent Teeth] [Sensitive Teeth] [Sterilization and Your Safety] [Thumbsucking] [Your Smile] For more information: Nelson Family Dentistry 4491 W. Northern Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301 US Email: 2uthdoc@cox.net Office: (623) 931-5321 Fax: (623) 939-5108 Website Tools & Hosting: EZ Website Builders www.EZWB.com © Copyright 2007 Nelson Family Dentistry. All Rights Reserved.