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Watching what you eat and how you take care of your teeth is extremely important when you have braces. But it’s also just as important to watch what you drink.
Sodas and soft drinks are not good for you even when you don’t have braces, but they’re especially bad if you do. Their ingredients can have devastating effects to your teeth and your orthodontic hardware.
What Are the Negative Effects of Soda with Braces?
Any type of soda, soft drink, or energy drink is loaded with sugar that can be detrimental to your oral health. Sugars in these drinks can cause decalcification, cavities, and tooth softening. Decalcification refers to the reduction of calcium and phosphate from your teeth, leading to higher sensitivity and decay over time.
The carbonation in soft drinks is also terrible for your teeth. Carbonation and fizziness are products of the acid in soft drinks. This high acidity is what breaks down your teeth’s enamel and leads to tooth decay.
Don’t forget we said all types of soda are bad. This includes diet soda too. Diet sodas still have a high amount of sweeteners and syrup that have the same effect on your teeth.
Not only can these drinks affect your teeth, but they can also harm your braces. Darker sodas can stain your teeth, clear brackets, and colored ties while sometimes causing a more yellow appearance to your smile. When you eventually get your braces off, you could even notice a discoloration on your teeth compared to where the brace was placed.
Learn more about what foods to avoid with braces.
How to Safely Drink Sodas with Braces
This may all seem like terrible news, but there’s still a way for you to enjoy your favorite sodas if you really have to. The key here is moderation. Limit how many you drink a day. If you have a soft drink while you have braces, be sure to use a straw so the soda doesn’t make a direct contact with your teeth. You’ll also want to be sure to rinse your mouth with water or even brush your teeth after drinking.
There are plenty of great alternatives to sodas if you want a sweet treat while you have braces. Fruit smoothies and juice are good options for a tasty and refreshing drink. They’re also healthier for you overall too.
Breaking the habit of drinking sodas can be a tough one, but it’s something you should do even if you don’t have braces. The benefits of not drinking soda go far beyond just your dental health, so start taking care of your whole body as soon as possible. Think of braces as a good excuse to finally give up those sugary soft drinks.
If you want to learn more about sodas and how they affect your teeth, call us at (843) 4-BRACES.
