Soft Drinks and Dental Health

Soft drinks are a popular beverage choice for many people around the world. However, they can have a negative impact on dental health. Soft drinks are high in sugar and acid, which can erode tooth enamel and lead to cavities, tooth decay, and other dental problems.

When sugar in soft drinks combines with bacteria in the mouth, it forms an acid that attacks tooth enamel. This can weaken the enamel, making it more susceptible to decay and cavities. Additionally, the acid in soft drinks can erode tooth enamel over time, leading to tooth sensitivity, discoloration, and even tooth loss.

To help protect dental health, it's important to limit the consumption of soft drinks. Drinking water instead of soft drinks is a great way to reduce the risk of dental problems. Water helps to rinse away food particles and neutralize acids in the mouth, which can help prevent cavities and decay.

If you do choose to drink soft drinks, there are steps you can take to minimize the impact on dental health. Drinking soft drinks through a straw can help reduce the contact between the drink and teeth. Additionally, drinking water or rinsing the mouth with water after consuming a soft drink can help to wash away any residual sugar and acid.

Regular dental checkups and cleanings are also important to maintain dental health. A dental professional can identify any early signs of dental problems and provide treatment to prevent further damage.

In conclusion, soft drinks can have a negative impact on dental health due to their high sugar and acid content. Limiting the consumption of soft drinks and drinking water instead can help reduce the risk of dental problems. Additionally, taking steps to minimize contact between soft drinks and teeth, and maintaining regular dental checkups and cleanings can help to protect dental health.

Sugar ban

The Queensland government are moving to ban the sale and marketing of junk food and sugary drinks from public hospitals by the end of 2018, to fight obesity. Vending machines and cafes will be required to stock healthier products, with guidelines set for  healthier food and drink choices with a ban on soft drinks, chocolate, lollies, burgers and deep fried foods. The Australian Beverages Council are unhappy with the decision claiming that less than 2% of daily kilojoules are consumed from soft drinks, with a fraction of that being consumed in hospital cafes. But the facts speak differently with a quarter of Queensland children being overweight or obese, showing the urgent need to limit access to unhealthy choices. The Cancer Cancer has welcomed the decision saying that sugary drinks are a major source of sugar for children, and that our responsibility as a community and healthy authority is to facilitate healthy choices and limit the consumption of sugar laden drinks and junk food, especially regulating the promotion and exposure of junk food to children.