The Number One {Fizzy} Cause
I’VE HAD A RUN OF CONSULTATIONS RECENTLY WITH PATIENTS THAT HAVE REVOLVED AROUND THE TOPICS OF DECAY, SENSITIVITY AND EROSION.
THE PATIENTS HAVE STRUGGLED TO MAKE HEADWAY AGAINST THEIR PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE SOUGHT ADVICE REGARDS TREATMENTS AND REMEDIES FOR THEIR AILMENTS, UNFORTUNATELY WITHOUT SUCCESS.
When I engage the patients in a discussion around diet, I almost invariably arrive at the same culprit: Soft Drinks. Of course, there are the traditional cola drinks, energy drinks (both fizzy and still), even juices such as orange and pineapple that can cause erosion – but the one that catches so many patients by surprise is fizzy water.
You would think that sparkling mineral water is a harmless drink. But unfortunately, even carbonated waters contain carbonic acid. Then add lemon juice to the fizzy water, and you’re topping it up with citric acid.
The most destructive acids can frequently not even appear as an acid on a label – and that’s because buffered acids are used as a preservative in drinks. These buffered acids ensure that the product maintains a high acidity (i.e. low pH) for an extended period, which equals a long shelf life. Furthermore, the combination of sweet, sour (acid) and fizzy in a drink has a wonderful “refreshing” taste! (sound familiar?).
When these acids are ingested, their buffering capacity is still present. This means that as your saliva attempts to neutralize these acids, they (in a diminished but active capacity) continue to “feed-in” acids in an attempt to maintain a low pH (acidic/erosive) environment (in your mouth) – which is their preservative role in the product.
WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?
I will frequently sit down and discuss options for patients who present with these issues. It is not always “one remedy fits all”. Switching to alternatives such as tea, coffee, or water is an integral part of the solution – becoming more alkaline (i.e. raising your pH), for example, by consuming more greens and possibly the use of alkaline water as well as topical remedies such as remineralizing agents. Decay and erosion will often demand restorative measures, but without addressing the number 1 cause – you’re on the acid merry-go-round.
DR ALEX HUSZTI BelleDental
Alex has had a career focused on low-biologic cost reconstructive cosmetic dental care – common sense teeth for life.
This article was originally published here at intouch Magazine.
DR ALEX HUSZTI BelleDental
Alex has had a career focused on low-biologic cost reconstructive cosmetic dental care – common sense teeth for life. Alex services clients in the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland areas.
