Sugar and Energy Drinks Break Down The Teeth
We live in a very fast paced world and we are all trying to keep up. This faster pace has caused us to do things health and diet wise that in the past we would have never considered.
Research has shown that the average American takes in about 82 grams of sugar every day. It’s recommended that women only take in 25 grams per day and men 38 grams. Sugar intake among most people is just too high.
Going further into the latest research on sugar has discovered that when looking at brain scans, sugar is more addictive than some of the illegal drugs we have. Stop and think about it. You eat one piece of cake, you generally want another.
The Growth of Energy Drinks
Between 2008 and 2012, the sale of energy drinks increased by 60%. That’s a huge up tick. It also is a sign we are headed for greater health issues in our society. Between 2007 and 2011, trips to the emergency room as a result of energy drinks, doubled from 10,068 to 20,783.
The Effects of Sugar On Your Teeth
Your mouth is full of bacteria and if this bacteria is not combated with good oral hygiene habits and regular visits to the dentist, the sugar you consume will feed it and it will get worse. Sugar creates acid in the mouth that feed bacteria and cause decay. Left unchecked, you will develop cavities.
If you are person with a sweet tooth, you need to pay extra attention to making sure you keep your teeth clean. If you don’t, decay can begin quickly and you will end up in the dental chair having expensive work done that could have been prevented.
Energy Drinks and Your Teeth
We really could have devoted an entire blog post to energy drinks or sugar alone. We want you to be well informed on both.
Energy drinks are full of both sugar and acids. We know there are some sugar free energy drinks, but even still, they have acids that are damaging to your teeth.
These acids break down the enamel of your teeth. Your enamel is porous and when these acids come into contact with your teeth and get in the pores, breakdown begins to occur. Combine this with sugar and you have created a hot bed for decay.
What’s The Answer To This Problem
Well you are probably not going to like it but it’s better if we are just honest with you and that is you need to consume more water. Water has no affect on the PH level of your mouth and can help keep your mouth clean through the day.
We know that we live in a fast paced society and you are probably used to grabbing that energy drink every morning or afternoon just to try and keep up. However, you have to ask yourself if it is really worth it. Is the short boost of energy you get from the drinks and the sugar really worth risking the condition of your teeth and oral health.
If you feel you just have to have that sugar or that energy drink, be sure to follow up with some water and brush your teeth just as soon as you can. This will help in keeping the bacteria from causing the decay and keep you from unnecessary dental problems.
If you have any questions or you haven’t had a dental exam in while, then give us a call. We will be glad to help and you will receive excellent care in a non-judgement atmosphere.