According to a case study published in the March/April issue of General Dentistry, consuming soda is as damaging to your teeth as using methamphetamine and crack cocaine.
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The researchers compared the damage in three individuals' mouths — an admitted user of methamphetamine, a previous longtime user of cocaine, and an excessive diet soda drinker. Each participant admitted to having poor oral hygiene and not visiting a dentist on a regular basis. According to FOX Atlanta, the soda drinker, a woman in her 30s, consumed 2 liters per day over a period of three to five years. She experienced similar tooth decay as that of the 29-year-old methamphetamine user and the 51-year-old crack cocaine addict, who had be a habitual user for 18 years. The meth addict also consumed soda as a way to avoid dry mouth, a result of his drug addcition.
In a statement released to the media, lead author the study, Mohamed A. Bassiouny, DMD, MSc, PhD, explained, "Each person experienced severe tooth erosion caused by the high acid levels present in their 'drug' of choice — meth, crack, or soda." For all three individuals, the main factor is acid. The acid that results from either addiction causes enamel to wear away, and once the enamel is no longer protecting teeth, users end up with tooth erosion. The soda addict had to have all of her teeth extracted and replaced with dentures.
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"The citric acid present in both regular and diet soda is known to have a high potential for causing tooth erosion," Bassiouny explained. He added, "The striking similarities found in this study should be a wake-up call to consumers who think that soda — even diet soda — is not harmful to their oral health."
According to FOX Atlanta, the beverage industry does not believe this should be seen as "an indictment of diet sodas generally." In a statement, the American Beverage Association said, "The woman referenced in this article did not receive dental health services for more than 20 years — two-thirds of her life. To single out diet soda consumption as the unique factor in her tooth decay and erosion — and to compare it to that from illicit drug use — is irresponsible.
Have you cut back on soda consumption? Will you now that you know the damage it can do to your teeth or do you think this study is an exaggeration?
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