Dental Treatments and Procedures Ideal for Heavy Soda Drinkers

Everyone has their go-to drink, and for some people the drink is soda. No matter if you drink sugar-filled regular soda or diet soda, these drinks have an impact on your teeth. As you try to curb soda drinking, there are multiple dental treatments to help prevent cavities or other mouth issues. Learn about the treatments and some procedures you may discuss with a dentist at your next appointment. Being aware of the changes in your mouth will help prevent these problems in the future. Fluoride Treatment Along with regular cleaning, you have the option to add a fluoride treatment to your appointment. Fluoride helps build the minerals and enamel in your teeth to make them strong and prevent cavities. When you drink soda, the acids naturally break down the enamel in your mouth. The sugar in soda will break down the enamel even further and form possible cavities Toothpaste and water will have fluoride, but the amounts are limited. A fluoride treatment may be done in a number of different ways. A mouthpiece with gel or foam could be placed over your teeth for a set amount of time. A dentist may use a small swab or brush to apply the fluoride directly to your teeth. After the treatment, avoid food and drinks for at least 30 minutes so the fluoride treatment fully applies. Teeth Whitening Like coffee and tea, soda stains teeth, especially dark cola varieties. When your teeth fade and discolor, you may notice changes in your smile. A dentist offers teeth whitening treatments to brighten your smile and remove surface stains due to the soda. A whitening treatment is typically its own appointment, although a dentist may add the whitening treatment after a regular cleaning. Once you whiten your teeth, consider the use of a straw for when you drink soda in the future. The straw will help send the soda behind your teeth so you lessen the amount of staining on your teeth. Deep Cleaning As you expose your teeth to soda, bacteria may build between the teeth and gums. The build-up of bacteria may create gum issues like gingivitis. Help the treatment of your gums with a deep cleaning. As opposed to a standard cleaning, a deep cleaning goes into the gums to remove excess plaque, tartar, and bacteria. The earlier you deep clean your mouth, the better. You will prevent major problems and the need for more advanced dental treatments like root canals or tooth removal. If you continue to drink a lot of soda, then you may consider a deep cleaning at least once a year to prevent the onset of gum disease. Dental X-Rays The sugar and acid found in soda could lead to a number of cavities. Cavities are one of the main issues associated with sugary drinks like soda. During a standard dental exam, a dentist will look for the onset of cavities, but may not see some of the earliest signs. Dental x-rays will give a bigger picture to any formation of cavities in your mouth. A dentist will use the x-rays to spot any soft spots, small cavities, or hidden areas between teeth where cavities may have formed. Liquids access any part of a tooth and may cause a cavity to form. Once spotted, a dentist will schedule an appointment to treat any cavities. The earlier the cavity is spotted the better. A dentist will also warn you of the soft spots so you may avoid cavity formation with proper care. Set up your dental appointment with us at Jeffrey L. Erwin DDS . We will perform a full oral cleaning and checkup, and our professionals have years of experience dealing with cavities and other mouth issues.