Don't let soft drinks touch your teeth: use a straw to avoid tooth decay (press release)

Academy of General Dentistry

Highlight:
The average American drinks roughly 576 soft drinks every year -- about one and a half cans a day for everyone in the United States. Drinking these beverages places the people who may not follow proper oral hygiene techniques at a higher risk for cavities and other oral health problems.

However, according to a report in the May/June 2005 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal, drinking soft drinks and other beverages through a properly positioned straw can help to minimize the risk of cavities.

The report tracked patient drinking habits and found that different factors -- such as the frequency of sipping and the amount of time the beverage remains in the mouth -- affect the type, location and severity of tooth decay. For example, decay will be concentrated in the back molars of a person who drinks directly from a can. Or, decay will be found on the teeth in the front of the mouth in a person who drinks through a straw positioned at the front of the mouth, right behind the lips.

"Your best option is to sip soft drinks and other beverages through a straw positioned towards the back of the mouth," advises Mohamed A. Bassiouny, DMD, MSc, PhD, and lead reporter. "Doing so will limit the amount of time the beverage is in contact with the teeth."

Soft drinks contain one or more acids, commonly phosphoric and citric acids. These acids erode dental enamel, the thin outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth structure and shape.

A dentist can tell when a patient gets cavities from drinking acidic beverages, such as soft drinks, since the decayed areas are often darker in color and takes up more space on the tooth. The cavities also often appear near the gumline.

The AGD is a non-profit organization of more than 35,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through continuing education. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patient's oral health needs.

More Cosmetic Dentistry Articles

Search for a Dentist
We only list Board Certified Dentists, bringing you the quality dentists you deserve. Select a state from the list below:

Enter Our Drawing
Every month, we give away Visa Gift Cards to help pay for your Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures!

Photo Gallery
Browse Before and After Photos from our Certified Dentists to see the results you want!

Dentistry FAQ
Read our Cosmetic Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions!

My Dentist USA is sponsored and made possible by the Cosmetic Dentists featured on this website.

MyDentistUSA.com is solely a provider of information. If information provided is used by the Internet user, said use is at that person's sole risk and discretion.
Please read the full Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions. By entering the website, you are agreeing to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.
© 2008 NKP Medical Marketing, Inc. · 10220 Culver Blvd · Suite 208 · Culver City, CA 90232