A New Generation of Cavities
Years ago, when I was still in dental school, I remember being told by a patient that I may have chosen the wrong profession. Well she said, with most people taking care of their teeth and using fluoridated water, I wouldn’t be really busy and might struggle to earn a living. I’ll never forget this conversation because it scared me. What if it were true? People do take better care of themselves and there’s fluoride everywhere! Oh how wrong this patient was.
My former patient had stated notable truths. The fact is that people are taking better care of themselves, but in the meantime are often hurting their teeth. How? You may ask. Eating better and an overall desire to look and feel better must improve your teeth and oral health, right? And what about the fluoride!? Well, there is something more powerful out there that can even match wits with fluoride: sports drinks!!
We have known for decades that the intake of refined sugar can lead to cavities. In short, sugar, which is a carbohydrate, when left on your teeth forms a film with other food debris called plaque. If not properly removed, this plaque is affected by bacteria. The bacteria feed on the sugar in the plaque and release a waste product that erodes enamel. This waste product is acid and it is responsible for the breakdown of healthy enamel and cavity formation.
Let’s fast forward into the 21st century. The mass marketing of sports and energy drinks have turned a profit from our health crazed public. More people are working out to stay healthy. More children actively participate in sports. What is not good is the overconsumption of sports drinks. The reason that makes these drinks so dangerous is not only the obvious fact they contain high doses of sugar (21grams in a 12 oz. bottle of Gatorade) but are very high in acid content. This high amount of acid does the work for the bacteria in your mouth. People are pouring acid right on their teeth and, because corporate marketing states that you need this product to maintain your energy and replenish lost nutrients, are subjecting themselves to more time in the dental chair.
At Berardi Dentistry, we have noticed an increase in dental caries (cavities) over the last few years. We always try to investigate why someone who has had a history of little or no decay is now presenting with eight or ten new cavities. The majority of the time our findings indicate that sports drinks or other sugary beverages have played a major role in cavity formation. Flavored waters also fall into this category because the flavoring is made of acid!
Sports drinks are not the only culprit related to the increase in dental caries. It has been known for years that sugary soda drinks can increase the risk of cavity formation. These sodas contain as many as 40g of sugar in a 12oz can. The sugar used in soda products is the form of high-fructose corn-syrup. Many people have switched to drinking diet soda believing that the reduction in sugar is good for their overall health and their teeth. While the decrease in sugar consumption and its related calories are beneficial to your systemic health, dental researchers have found that diet sodas are also a major factor in the increase of dental cavities. Again, they have a high acid content that causes enamel breakdown. Look at the label on a diet soda can: carbonated water, aspartame, phosphoric acid, citric acid.
What about fruit juice? Many fruit juices have higher sugar contents than related sugary soft drinks and may be more caloric. Fruit juices, unlike sodas, are loaded with vitamins and nutrients and even if they may have more sugars and calories should be consumed but in moderation.
What is the worst thing to drink? Researchers have found that lemonade is actually the worst thing to drink because of its extremely high concentration of acid plus sugar. This is a deadly combination! Sweetened iced teas are also a drink that should be limited. Although not as acidic as lemonade, sweet teas have some acid and also a lot of sugar.
Then what do we drink? Are we doomed to non-flavored, unsweetened, organically processed dihydrogen monoxide? Well, if we’re talking about water, then yes. Water! You know the stuff that comes from your faucet? That is the recommended beverage by physicians and dentists, alike. Now that’s not to say you can never have a Pepsi or a Gatorade but drink them within reason.
If you are eating well-balanced meals you will have retained enough nutrients to easily replenish yourself after a workout. Marketing experts make it sound as if everyone has been training for a triathlon. That is certainly not the case. Have you been to the mall lately? Look around, we’re not the thinnest people on the planet anymore. Enjoy your favorite drink but don’t overdo it and always remember your teeth when consuming these beverages. Your teeth and your bank account will thank you.
In ancient times humans did not get a lot of cavities. Animals, similarly, don’t suffer from tooth decay. Their diets consisted of meats, plants, and water. Even with help from toothpastes, floss, fluoride, and dental knowledge we still have a problem with tooth decay. Here are some tips to reduce cavity formation:
- Use a straw when possible. It allows the drink to pass your teeth. This might help lessen the exposure of your teeth.
- After consuming the beverage, rinse your mouth with water.
- Wait a few minutes to brush after drinking something. The enamel is softer after exposing it to acid and brushing can wear the enamel down.
Don’t drink beverages all day long. Sipping something acidic over a long period of time doesn’t allow your mouth to return to a normal pH. It stays at a lower pH and makes the environment ripe for tooth decay. When you’re going to have a drink, have it quickly so that your mouth has an opportunity to return to a normal.
