Diet Soda Habit as Bad for Teeth as Meth Addiction, Study Claims

Posted by: Dr. Sirakian Categories: Oral Health

Between the crack of the bottle cap, the bubbly fizz, the first refreshing sip, and zero calories to boot—diet soda can be totally addicting. But is it possible to enjoy this delight without any side effects? A new study states that diet soda could indeed be as “damaging to teeth as methamphetamine, or cocaine.” When examining both effects in the human mouth, it is seen to deteriorate and damage teeth just the same. We are concerned about our weight, so we switched to the no calorie diet soda, but it is so highly acidic that it can cause severe tooth erosion and oral damage!

This specific study examined two males (one a 29-year-old meth addict, the other a 51-year-old cocaine addict) and one female (a 30-year-old diet soda addict) none of whom had been to the dentist in years. The goal of the study was to find out exactly what the link is between hard drugs and diet soda in relation to its effect on their individual oral health. Both the drug users and the soda addict were found to have rotting teeth and decay, and the younger man (meth user) suffered severe dry mouth from the drugs. The teeth were soft and discolored. It’s scary to think that a diet soda addiction could be comparable to a drug addiction, at least in terms of our teeth!

So you’re not a diet soda addict, but how can you make sure this doesn’t happen to you? Make sure you schedule regular appointments, and severely limit your soda (diet or otherwise) intake. It’s best to rinse with water right after consuming anything acidic or sugary!

Source

Veganism and Dental Health

Going vegan has become an increasingly popular lifestyle choice in the past decade. While people have a variety of different reasons for choosing a plant-based diet, many vegans tend to have one thing in common: weaker teeth than carnivores. Whether you’re a lifelong vegan or newly considering making the switch, read on to learn what […]

Fighting Dental Cavities With Oil Pulling

While there are many fads out there that claim to be beneficial for your general or dental health, oil-pulling actually is. It can reduce the number of cavity causing bacteria as well as reduce the tooth-eroding acidity in the mouth. Studies have also shown that oil pulling can reduce the plaque index of your mouth. […]

Oral Health Tips for Those Aged 40-60

If you’re between 40-60 years old, you have unique concerns with regards to your oral health. Here’s what you should be paying attention to. Gum Disease Gingivitis is the first and only stage of gum disease that is reversible. If not treated properly, gingivitis can develop into. periodontitis—a serious, destructive disease. Some people with gum […]

What to Know About Your Child’s First Visit to the Dentist

For most adults the dentist can be a scary experience, so we understand your reservations about bringing your baby to the dentist. But, good oral hygiene starts young, and so do dentist visits. Your child should definitely make their first dentist visit before their first birthday. The general rule that most dentists follow is that […]

Activated Charcoal: Safe or Scary?

You’ve probably seen this new dental trend on your social media feeds: beauty influencers sporting pitch black smiles and swearing the result is cleaner, whiter teeth. The product? Activated charcoal powders, applied and brushed onto teeth in lieu of toothpaste. No one can deny its popularity, but is this craze hot, or hazardous? Activated charcoal […]