Just like how the acid in soda can weaken your bones, it can also weaken your teeth. Soda is both acidic AND sugary, which is a match made in heaven for tooth decay and erosion. The acid weakens the outermost layer of the tooth, called enamel, and the sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth to produce even MORE acid. Unfortunately, unlike your bones, your teeth cannot regenerate.
Here are 2 things you can do to help mitigate the impact of soda on your teeth.
Frequency matters: Limit yourself to a soda only at mealtimes. A can of soda at once during a meal is much less harmful than frequent sips throughout the day. It takes up to 20 minutes for your saliva to wash away the soda from your mouth, so occasional sips are a constant acid bath for your teeth.
Wait 1 hour to brush: Acid immediately weakens your tooth structure, and brushing too early can wear away the surface of your tooth. Give your teeth time to be remineralized by your saliva. Brush an hour after consuming acidic beverages to prevent erosion from tooth brushing.
