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The Scoop on Soft Drinks - Dr. Glaser

For those of you who have listened to my soapbox rants, here I go again!!! 

I am forever preaching of the evils of soft drinks, be they diet, sugared, or caffeine free.  I could go on with the statistics found on the internet or in scientific articles, but the bottom line is that in the least bit excess, they are harmful to your body!  Since 1978, consumption of sodas has more than double for females and more than tripled for males.  This breaks down to more than 600 twelve ounce cans a year per person in the United States.

            The ingredients in ALL sodas include, but are not limited to, phosphoric acid, citric acid, carbonic acid, refined sugars, and caffeine.  How do these materials play a roll in your health?  When a person puts anything in their mouths, the process of predigestion begins.  The normal chemistry is actually close to a neutral pH and is somewhat alkaline.  The predigestion turns the pH in the mouth acid to help the stomach do its work.  This acids condition lasts 20 minutes after the last bite or drink of everything except something of a neutral pH, like water.  The body is set up to accommodate for these situations.  The problems occur when people snack between meals, eat or chew sweets (sugary gum), and drink some fruit juices or sodas.  I will not tell you that sodas are not safe to drink, because they are not.  But like anything, there are limits as to how much you can consume safely, including water.  Imagine increasing the acidity of your mouth many times normal and what that will do to your teeth, gums, and the rest of the body.

            The acids from these drinks will actually etch and corrode the surface of the enamel of your teeth and can irritate the lining of the esophagus.  The corroded enamel will open the tooth up to attack by decay causing bacteria.  The salts in sodas will not totally satisfy thirst and can increase thirst.  These salts can also dry out the mouth.  A dry mouth will increase the susceptibility to tooth decay and gum disease.  The carbonic acid has been related to loss of calcium in the bones.  The carbonation has been related to stomach irritation and acid reflux.  The caffeine is directly related to addictions to the “up” sensation that people crave.  Drinks like this are seen consumed heavily by drug addicts because of the caffeine high.  If you need a boost in the morning, eat an apple.  This will (really true) help wake you up.  All heavy coffee drinkers can relate to the acid indigestion from heavy consumption because of the stomach stimulation to produce digestive acids.  The last, but not the least side effect related to soda consumption is obesity.  This is a nationwide problem, with a relationship to damage to many organ systems.

            I know this sounds like a total gloom and doom article, but the facts speak for themselves.  I would never say sodas are unsafe or not to drink them. I will enjoy the occasional soft drink, but I practice self defense. What I share with my patients is this.  If you have to have a soda, always drink the sodas on ice to help dilute the acids.  Drink water and swish afterwards.  Minimize the number of sodas per week.  If you chew gum, make sure it is sugar free.  This will maximize saliva flow, neutralize acids, and minimize acid damage.

For further information on the sodas with the most sugar, the most acid, or the damage for these drinks, please contact our office. 

Here's to your healthy smile – Dr. Glaser