Many of us consume more sugar than we realize. Of course, you know that excess sugar in your diet can lead to poor dental health. But it is also important to remember the effect that excess sugar can have on your overall health, causing problems like obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
How Much Sugar?
Having a soft drink now and then is not going to hurt you. But knowing exactly how much sugar you are consuming with each drink can help you curb your desire to grab a second!
Here are a few of the most popular soft drinks and their sugar content:
- Red Bull – 6.9 teaspoons of sugar
- Coca-Cola – 8.25 teaspoons of sugar
- Sprite – 8.25 teaspoons of sugar
- Pepsi – 8.75 teaspoons of sugar
- Mountain Dew – 11.5 teaspoons of sugar
All this sugar is hard enough on your teeth, but cola drinks, in particular, contain acid, which can erode your dental enamel and lead to cavities. Immediately after you consume that soft drink, a process called demineralization starts.
Demineralization breaks down enamel and occurs when the level of acid in your mouth increases. However, once the acid is neutralized by brushing or swishing water around in your mouth, remineralization occurs and reverses the process.
Please Call Our Allentown Dental Office to Learn More
Allentown dentist Dr. Amir Mojahed is committed to helping you achieve optimal oral health. Helping you understand the impact that certain habits can have on the health of your smile is the best way to help you make better choices.
Please call our dental office to arrange your next appointment. It is far better to schedule routine exams and cleanings and stay a step ahead of the damage than wait until sugar compromises your oral health!
