Have you heard the urban legend about what
happens to a tooth when you leave it in a glass of Coke overnight?
Even
if you don't have a theory -- and we'll tell you later if it's true -- you've
probably heard or read some other recycled testimonial about the acidic powers
of soda. It cleans car battery terminals. It wipes out the most stubborn blood
and oil stains. It has the power to dissolve Satan on contact.
Urban legend Web site Snopes.com has devoted a
broad
and hilarious category to the topic.
Just because soda can't remove house paint doesn't mean we should drink
as much as we do, however. According to a study by the American Dental
Association, about one in every four beverages Americans consume is a soft
drink. And the acid these drinks contain is far from harmless.
What Else Softens Teeth?
Most carbonated beverages contain phosphoric and citric acids that can
harm the tooth's enamel. But soda isn't the only culprit.
"Anything that has a high acid content that's overused or abused or
placed improperly in the mouth can cause tooth erosion," says Dr. Charles Perle
of the Academy of General Dentistry.
Other enamel enemies include orange juice, tea, coffee, citrus fruits,
pickles, wine and even yogurt. Sports drinks are also harmful. In fact, Perle
says, most sports drinks have three to 11 times the acid content of soda.
The enamal is the hard outer coating of the tooth. Check out more
about how teeth are made.
If that isn't enough to break your habit of gargling with Dr. Pepper
every night before bed, chew on this: Enamel erosion is irreversible, Perle
says.
"Your natural saliva will restore the enamel, but it takes a longer time.
The acid in the soda works faster," he says.
While carbonated beverages are more damaging, you might want to
reconsider your coffee consumption.
"Coffee's not as bad, but it depends. Are you putting a lot of sugar in
it? If there's a lot of sugar, you're doing it again," Perle explains. "Sugar is
high in acid."
Chugging, Food, Straws Protect
Fortunately, the preventive measures are relatively simple. If you drink
coffee or tea, try to avoid constant sipping.
"We're talking about nursing it throughout the day," Perle says. "If you
sip on a high-acid drink all day long, it's going to cause more problems than if
you just drink it."
You should also try to consume the high-acid drinks with food. "Because
when you're having food, and you're chewing, your saliva is active" and can help
combat the acid, Perle explains.
Perle also suggests keeping soda and other cold drinks off the teeth by
using a straw.
"If you take a straw and put it in the back of your mouth, keep it off
your teeth, you're not going to damage your mouth," he says.
Water Is Best Defense
Drinking water is the best alternative, Perle says, but if you're not
willing to make the switch, consider rinsing with it after consuming acidic
foods or beverages.
And contrary to intuition, be sure to wait 20 to 30 minutes before
brushing your teeth.
"The acid in the soda -- or even just eating a lot of fruit -- can cause
a breakdown in the enamel structure," he says. "If people brush their teeth, the
enamel is soft, and (brushing) can cause more problems."
Sugarless gum can be helpful after an acidic drink, too.
"If you're going to drink soda and you can't rinse your mouth out, you
can chew sugarless gum to get the saliva flowing and get that soda off your
teeth," Perle says.
He is quick to point out that despite all the warnings, a daily cup of
herbal tea or can of pop won't ruin your teeth.
"I think the most important thing is overconsumption. You have to be
careful of that," he says.
As for what actually happens when a tooth -- or a nail or a steak --
takes a soak in Coke, Snopes has the truth: "Much of the item will dissolve
eventually, but after a day or two, you'll still have most of the tooth, a nail
and one very soggy T-bone."
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