Boise Dentist Blog
The professional blog of Doctors Dan Bruce, Steve Bruce, Rosa Pothier and Rob Ririe
Diet Soda vs. Drugs
A recent study published in the journal General Dentistry, claimed that diet soda can have the same effect on your teeth as methamphetamine and crack cocaine! Pretty scary, right?The case study compared the oral health of three participants - one who drank two liters of diet soda daily for three to five years, a 51-year old crack user, and a 29-year old methamphetamine addict. The researcher found similar patterns of severe enamel erosion on all three participants. Diet soda, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine are all very acidic substances. Once enamel has been eroded, teeth are more susceptible to cavities and other oral health problems.
While this example is an extreme case, drinking diet soda does pose some risks to your oral health. Diet soda may not contain sugar, but it has a very low pH. If you have to drink a diet soda, do so in moderation and try not to sip on it throughout the day. It is also a good idea to rinse your mouth out with water after drinking anything acidic or sugary. Remember that good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent oral disease.