Most people believe that soft drinks that are labeled sugar-free are safe for oral health, but unfortunately, they are not much better than the other sugar-filled alternatives because of their potential to cause tooth enamel and erosion.
Sugar can lead to damaged teeth when it is fermented with bacteria in the mouth and produces acid. While sugar-free drinks do not directly lead to cavities, they weaken the enamel, which can cause a host of problems.
Everyone must be aware that sugar-filled drinks, sodas, and juices are bad when it comes to maintaining oral health. Here are some of the drinks that cause cavities, sensitivity, and tooth enamel that can damage your teeth.
How Sugar-Free Drinks Damage Teeth
Drinks that are lower in sugar decrease the risk of causing tooth decay, but drinking diet or sugar-free beverages does not entirely remove the risk of tooth damage. Many drinks contain multiple acids and have low PH value.
Most people think that switching from regular drinks to diet sodas will be the best decision to keep their teeth healthy. Unfortunately, they often contain no sugar. Diet sodas usually cause the same dental problems as regular sodas.
According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), men are more likely to consume sugary drinks and sodas. In comparison, teenage boys get about 273 calories from sugar drinks a day.
When you consume soda, the sugar it contains interacts with bacterias in the mouth and forms an acid that attacks your teeth.
With every sip of soda, you are starting a damaging reaction that lasts for 20 minutes, and if you sip all day, your teeth are under constant acid attack that can damage teeth.
Beverages That Causes Tooth Enamel And Cavities
Consuming sugary food and drinks that are high in sugar and acids plays a vital role in the development of cavities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting sugars to less than 10% of your total sugar intake and aiming for 5%.
Read through the following beverages to understand how they affect your oral health.
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Diet Sodas
Soft drinks contain inherent acids and sugars with acidogenic and cariogenic potential and its consumption can cause dental erosion and cavities overtime.
While diet soda may not contain the same amount of sugar as other regular sodas, it still contains acid, which is bad news for your oral health.
If you do drink soda, then you must have a glass of water afterward to wash off your mouth and those teeth-harming sugars and acids.
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Soft Drinks
Soft drinks are full of sugar and acids that can damage teeth enamel, which is not good for your oral health. When drinks are carbonated, they have higher acidic levels, which are more likely to cause dental erosion.
Diet soft drinks are still highly acidic in nature, which can cause dental erosion. Every sip of a soft drink results in an acid attack on the protective enamel around your teeth for about 20 minutes.
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Fruit juice
Many fruit juices, such as orange and lemonade juice, contain natural sugars and citric acid that wear away tooth enamel. Enamel erosion can ultimately lead to cavities.
The best approach to fruit juice is to have it as an occasional treat that you drink, along with plenty of water to wash off your mouth instantly.
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Energy drinks
Like soda, energy drinks also contain very high levels of sugar and acid that often lead to both cavities and teeth erosion.
A single energy drink may contain about 21 to 34 grams of sugar in every ounce of drinks. Consuming energy drinks is associated with about a twofold increase in dental erosion.
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Sports drinks
While sports drinks are marketed as healthy and nutritious, they are high in sugar content and are ineffective for athletic performance.
Most professional athletes follow carefully managed diets that are healthier and rich in nutrients.
They don’t drink sports drinks; instead, they choose healthier options that won’t weaken their teeth.
Best Drinks Options For Healthier And Stronger Teeth
Here are some of the best drink options you should opt for in order to have healthier teeth and a brighter smile, which also aids in your physical health by making you healthier.
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Water
It is no surprise that water comes first when it comes to oral and physical health. Water helps in keeping your mouth clean by washing away leftover food particles stuck in your mouth that bacteria thrive on, causing cavities that can damage teeth.
It also prevents the risk of dry mouth, a common risk factor for tooth decay. It doesn’t contain any sugar or acid to wear on your tooth enamel, and drinking water can fight off cavities, too.
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Milk
Milk is a fantastic option often recommended by dentists especially for children to maintain sugar and dental health. Milk is highly rich in calcium, proteins, vitamins, and minerals that improve your oral health and help in growth and development.
Calcium is known to strengthen the enamel of your teeth, preventing them from becoming infected with tooth decay and cavities.
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Sparkling Water
Plain sparkling water, which contains no added sugars or citric flavoring, is one of the best beverage options for your teeth. However, sparkling water is carbonated, and it contains a higher acid level than plain water.
But the acidity in plain sparkling water is so low that its effects on teeth are about the same as those of noncarbonated or plain tap water.
However, using sparkling water with added sugar or citric flavoring will negatively impact your teeth.
Key Takeaways
Constantly sipping sugary drinks throughout the day can leave your teeth open to acidic attacks for a longer time. This only habit causes dental erosion leading to sensitive teeth and that can damage teeth.
To keep your teeth stronger and healthier, eliminate sugar and acidic beverages from your diet altogether to improve your overall oral health, but that’s not always a practical goal.
However, you must take a step in the right direction by cutting off unhealthy drinks you consume and replacing them with healthier options like water, milk, and unsweetened tea.
Healthy Habits For A Healthier And Brighter Smile
Studies shows that dental anxiety, also referred to as dental phobia, is a common issue seen in people. About 30 – 80% of people are estimated to have some level of dental fear or anxiety.
People with dental phobia tend to avoid going to a dentist, resulting in worsening oral health and more dental pain, and nearly 36% of people experience mild to moderate dental anxiety and fear of dental treatment.
Whereas a significant amount of people, nearly 12% of the population, experience extreme fear that can lead to avoidance of dental care and treatments.
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychotherapy that manages and treats mental and physical health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, alcohol and drug addiction, eating disorders, severe mental illness, and marital problems.
It has been considered to be as effective as or even more effective than any other behavioral therapy or psychiatric medication, and helps in improving functioning and quality of life. CBT helps you become aware of thinking patterns that may be creating issues in your life.
During cognitive behavioral therapy, you work with a mental health professional, psychologist, or other licensed therapist in a structured way by attending a limited number of sessions.
Looking at the relation between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors helps you view a challenging situations more clearly and helps you respond them in a more positive and effective way.
CBT is a very helpful tool in treating many mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, also called (PTSD), or an eating disorder. Sometimes, CBT is the only treatment needed. Other times, it’s used along with other therapies, treatments, or medicines.
You don’t need to have a mental health condition to benefit from CBT. It can be an effective way for you to learn how to easily manage negative thoughts and stressful life situations.
CBT has been shown to be effective in treating a number of mental health conditions, such as –
- Anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Phobias
- Schizophrenia
- Psychosis
- Insomnia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Alcohol or drug addiction
- Binge eating disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
How CBT Helps To Deal With Emotional Challenges
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a concept that your thoughts, actions, and behaviors are interconnected to each other, and a negative thought or feeling can trap you in a negative cycle.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to help you deal with overwhelming feelings or problems in a positive way by breaking them into smaller sections.
Unlike other treatments, CBT deals with your current problems rather than focusing on your issues from the past.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a useful way to learn how to deal with your emotions and negative thoughts, and it helps in –
- Managing symptoms of mental health conditions
- Keeping symptoms of mental health problems from coming back
- Learning techniques to cope up with stressful situations
- Learning ways to manage emotions
- Overcome any emotional trauma caused by abuse or violence
- Cope with a medical condition
- Deal with conflicts and improve communication skills
- Cope with loss or grief
- Manage long-term physical symptoms
- Managing mental health conditions when medicines are not a good option
Can CBT Benefit Dental Phobia
People with a dental phobia feel anxious when they think about going to the dentist or visiting a dentist’s office. Negative experiences from the past, family history, or a feeling of lack of control can lead to dental phobia.
CBT has been described as the most efficient and effective physiological therapy that helps people with phobias through exposure therapy or guided imaginary and relaxation techniques that can help an individual overcome their fears.
Many healthcare providers use Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT), which can help you change the way you respond to situations that trigger symptoms.
How CBT Helps People To Overcome Dental Phobia
You talk to a therapist about your inner feelings and thoughts about your dental anxiety, including what is on your mind. Your therapist will try to understand the reasons that cause your fears and why you are so nervous about it.
They may also work with you to know what triggers your thoughts and how they can redirect the thoughts when they occur. They try to replace the negative thoughts with positive ones in order to prevent your dental phobia.
Other Options To Manage Dental Phobia
It is important to let your dentist know if you are experiencing dental anxiety to help your dentist understand and tailor a management plan.
There are many ways to help people manage their dental anxiety or phobia: –
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Relative Analgesia (Happy Gas)
Nitrous oxide is given to patients to help them relax during dental treatment. A mask is fitted to your face to make them breathe a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide.
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Anxiety Relieving Medications
Certain anxiety medications such as temazepam may be given by your dentist to help people with dental anxiety relax. A short-acting, single dose is usually given one hour before the dental treatment.
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Conscious Sedation
It involves giving medication through drips in the veins of the arms or hands. Intravenous sedation is provided by a dental sedationist or an anesthetist.
It is also known as twilight sedation; you can feel relaxed and may get into a light sleep, but you will be able to respond to verbal questions. Possible side effects of conscious sedation include drowsiness and nausea after the procedure.
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General Anesthesia
Treatment under a general anesthetic is usually done in a hospital by a dentist or an anesthetist. Under general anesthesia, a patient fully falls asleep.
Your dentist may ask you to visit the dentist’s office before treatment and may also need a post-operative (after treatment) visit. The anesthetist will also need to assess you before the general anesthetic.
Some common side effects caused by anesthesia are nausea and a longer recovery time than any other form of sedation.
Tips To Ease Dental Phobia
Here are certain tips on how you can ease your dental anxiety and fear –
- Ask a friend or a family member whom you trust about their dentist and their experience with them, and make an appointment with their dental provider.
- Many dental offices have online websites where you can learn about their practices and become fully aware of the treatments.
- Make sure you communicate with the dentist and don’t feel shy, you are not the first patient who ever has dental phobia.
- Ask your dentist to inform you about the dental treatment they recommend based on your oral health, and ask your dentist to explain the procedures in detail.
- If you feel nervous before going to the dentist for a cleaning or dental procedure, tell them to make the experience more comfortable.
Key Takeaways
Visiting a dentist, when you have a dental phobia or anxiety is not an easy task, and simply taking an appointment is also scary and nerve-wracking.
Here at ‘Dacula Dental,’ we provide sedation dental treatment options to help you have a better and more positive experience. Seeing a dentist is a must, even for those who have dental phobias. Let us at ‘Dacula Dental’ help you with your dental care needs. Schedule an appointment today.
At Dacula Dental, we offer many solutions, including sedation dentistry, to keep you comfortable and less anxious during your dental procedures.
Contact us today to discuss your level of anxiety and let us help you obtain the treatment you need in a safe and judgement-free environment.
Reference Site-
Studies shows that dental anxiety [NIH] 2013 Dec 20
According to a study, around two-thirds of the participants, in a majority of 80% of male athletes, have been reported to consume sports and energy drinks, gels, or bars at least once a week, the commonest being Sting.
Despite having good oral hygiene, athletes generally have poor oral health and higher risk of dental problems that cause gingivitis, irreversible periodontitis, and tooth erosion.
About 80% of athletes experience at least one oral problem that has a negative impact on their daily activities.
Impact Of Sports Drinks On Your Teeth
Athletes are generally at higher risk of oral health problems for several reasons. For peak performance, athletes in competitive sports frequently consume foods, beverages, and sports drinks that are rich in carbohydrates and energy.
The main dangers of sports and energy drinks come from higher levels of sugar content and acids. These drinks contain enough acid to damage your teeth just within five days of regular consumption.
Some energy drinks contain 50 – 60 grams of sugar, which is a total of 14 teaspoons of sugar, and the combination of sugar and acid present in sports drinks can damage your enamel, which leads to the risk of cavities and tooth decay.
It has been found that acid in energy drinks can gradually destroy your tooth enamel. When your teeth enamel is damaged, it makes your mouth prone to bacteria due to lack of protection from enamel.
Negative Effects Of Energy Drinks On Dental Health
Energy drinks are packed with unhealthy ingredients like herbal stimulants, preservatives, high caffeine levels, carbohydrates, calories, and extremely high levels of sugar.
The excessive sugar in energy drinks can make your teeth susceptible to cavities that can harm your tooth enamel and put your teeth at a higher risk of decay.
Tooth Decay And Cavities
Certain ingredients and high sugar levels in drinks can promote cavities and tooth decay, such as –
- Preservatives
- Artificial Colours
- Extreme levels of caffeine
- Empty calories
- Additives
- Single carbohydrates
Some brands contain over 50 – 60 grams of sugar in a single can. This amount of sugar can cause serious damage to your overall oral health and physical health.
High sugar consumption feeds bad bacteria in the mouth that produce plaque and tartar and acids that destroy enamel and lead to tooth decay and cavities.
Permanent Enamel Damage
The high acidity of sports or energy drinks can lower the PH level of saliva, which reduces its protective properties and exposes teeth to acid damage.
Tooth enamel damaged by acidic sports drinks will not regrow and are susceptible to serious oral health issues.
Possible side effects of damaging tooth enamel are –
- Sensitivity to hot and cold beverages
- Inflamed or bleeding gums
- Pain and discomfort
- Plaque build-up
- Cavities
- Tooth decay
Teeth Sensitivity
Enamel is a protective covering of the delicate, sensitive inner layers of the tooth. When tooth enamel is damaged, the inner layers of teeth are exposed to foods, air, and drinks. This exposure can cause sensitivity and discomfort, especially when consuming hot or cold beverages.
Gum Disease
Damaged enamel also leaves teeth susceptible to gum recession. When the gums recede, the tooth roots can be exposed and cause additional sensitivity. It may also lead to painful, inflamed, or bleeding gums.
Once the gum line recedes, it can create pockets where bacteria can easily build up below the gum line. This can lead to severe gum disease, decay, and even tooth loss if left untreated.
Tips To Minimize Damage To Your Teeth
There are several ways and safety measures that can be taken to prevent the damage that can be caused due to drinking sports drinks.
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Take Good Care Of Your Teeth And Gums
You should effectively clean your teeth and gums by washing away the acid and sugar by brushing and flossing after having an energy drink.
Taking good care and maintaining optimal oral health helps to eliminate the disease-causing bacteria from your mouth that damage your enamel, leading to tooth decay.
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Avoid Sipping Energy Drinks For Too Long
You can’t clean your mouth while already drinking energy drinks, so avoid sipping your energy drinks for too long. Try to drink your energy drinks relatively quickly to prevent acid damage or break down your tooth enamel.
Sipping on energy drinks for a longer period of time can increase the risk of cavities and tooth decay.
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Have Energy Drinks In Moderation
Everything is great when taken in moderation, and you should not drink energy drinks regularly. But, if you are a diehard fan or need to drink energy or sports drinks every day, you must take precautions to prevent your favorite beverages from damaging your teeth and gums.
Need Help To Maintain Your Oral Health? Our Caring Team Is Here to Help
With excessive sugar, high caffeine, and acids, energy drinks affect your teeth in various negative ways. We recommend avoiding sports and energy drinks, but we also understand you may still want to enjoy one now and then.
By rinsing your mouth with water after consuming energy drinks, waiting to brush your teeth, plan a dental health check up every 6 months, and using a straw, you can minimize tooth decay from energy drinks.
At Dacula Dental, We are always available to help maintain your and your family’s dental health, and we constantly inform you about the best foods and drinks that you can have to keep your teeth healthy and strong.
Looking For A Dental Clinic? We Are Here To Help!
Final Thoughts
Energy drinks are seriously bad for your and your family’s dental health, as they contain high sugar and acid.
You are recommended to drink plenty of water to wash away the sugar and acid from your mouth and do not brush your teeth straight after drinking it.
If you do drink energy drinks, you are advised to rinse your mouth with water to prevent acid from spreading on the tooth surface, which can cause erosion or tooth decay.
Referral Site –