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Diet Soda and Tooth Decay

October 1, 2012

Filed under: Tooth decay — Tags: — okcitydentist @ 3:35 pm

My dentist thinks I need to cut down on my sodas because of my tooth decay. Is diet soda safe?

Shayne A. – Staten Island

Shayne,

Unfortunately both sugar and non-sugared drinks are bad for your teeth. Diet soda contains Sorbitol, Mannitol, or Saccharine, any one of which can break down your tooth enamel. They, as well as sport and fruit drinks, also contain acid. This will also break down your enamel.

The safest thing to do is limit your soda intake to just a few a week. Don’t drink them throughout the day. Also, if you drink an acid containing beverage, make sure you rinse your mouth with water to help neutralize the acid before you brush your teeth. Otherwise, you’ll be grinding the acid into your teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.