23 Feb The link between soda consumption and tooth decay
If you or any member of your family is an avid soda drinker, you may want to take notice of a new study out of Mexico. The study published in The Journal of the American Dental Association has shown a link between sugary drinks like sodas, juices, and sports drinks and erosive tooth wear. It shouldn’t be news to many that sugary drinks aren’t great for your oral health, but the hard numbers may lead you to reconsider how much soda you and your family consume.
The JADA study was conducted in Mexico due to the fact that sugary drinks are still a widely accepted dietary staple for teenagers there. The statistics were gathered by surveying Mexican kids between 14 and 19 years old about their intake levels of carbonated pops, sports drinks, fruit juice and certain food items. After the survey, dental professionals examined the teens for signs of erosive tooth wear.
The results showed that erosive tooth wear was quite widespread at almost 32%, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the carbonated soda drinks were the biggest offender. The issue has not gone unnoticed by the government of Mexico, which has now implemented a soda sales tax on sugary drinks to attempt to curb the consumption of soda in their youth.
It is wise to try and cut back on the sugary drinks and use a straw on the rare occasions that you do, to reduce contact with your teeth. To make sure those sugary drinks don’t get the best of your healthy smile, contact the friendly staff at Prescott Dentistry to schedule your routine check up and cleaning today! (928) 445-1660
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (2/23/2016) Jannes Pockele (Flickr)