Don't Run With Scissors, Don't Pour Gas On A Fire

My 3-year old daughter wanted to do some artwork last week. Upon the request to "go get some scissors," she ran to the office and ran back with the shears flailing in front of her face. Parenting Rule #856, Don't Run With Scissors, was then practiced for the umpteenth time.

There's plenty of new rules emerging in the dental world as we learn about the long-term effects of soda on teeth. My hygienist sent me a link about the wisdom of not drinking soda--'cause it's bad for your teeth--with a new twist. Not only does soda rot your teeth, it does it faster than we thought, and probably as well as meth and cocaine.

Methamphetamine and crack cocaine users suffer from dry mouth when using. Lethargy and thirst also increase, and users often turn to soda consumption to increase energy and satisfy the dry mouth. The triple whammy is that in addition to a dry mouth and acid erosion from soda, smoking the drugs will burn, erode, and decay teeth. It's like pouring gas on a fire.The photo below is pure meth mouth.

Non-drug users can suffer the same devastating results after long-term soda use. Caffeine will reduce the flow of protective saliva, and the pH of soda is so acidic, it will erode enamel quickly. This is a patient who has enjoyed Coke and Diet Coke for a decade.

 

 The good news is that soda erosion is manageable. Neutralizing the acidity of the soda immediately after drinking it will reduce the risk of this kind of decay. Chewing sugar-free gum, drinking water, or brushing your teeth are all effective choices.