Does soda stain your teeth? Soda drinkers may find that their teeth turn yellow over time. Drinking a lot of soft drinks such as cola may discolor and damage your teeth, leaving your smile bland and unhealthy.
In this article we’ll go over the reasons why soda stains your teeth, as well as the following:
- Why does soda stain your teeth?
- Does Diet Coke stain your teeth?
- Does Sprite stain teeth?
- The best methods to remove soda stains on teeth quickly
Do you have to give up soda completely to keep your pearly whites? It’s preferable to switch to a healthier beverage. However, if you like cola and other soft drinks, there is still hope. There are very effective teeth whitening options available. And in addition, we’ll go over some tips on how you can drink soda while maintaining your perfect white teeth.
In This Article
Why does soda stain your teeth?
You may already have noticed that coke makes your teeth yellow over time. This is the case because soda is very acidic, and black cola includes chromogens. However, soda-drinkers may experience duller teeth as well. That’s because lemon-lime tastes include acids, which make teeth more susceptible to stains from other meals.
All sodas, whether black, clear, normal or diet, contain about the same amount of acid.
How do soda stains happen?
The enamel, the exterior covering of your teeth, contains microscopic pores. Particles might enter these pores and cause a stain. Acid, such as from soft drinks, slowly erodes the enamel. This erosion causes the pores to expand, making staining of your teeth more probable.
Which soda beverages stain your teeth the most?
Teeth discoloration caused by soda staining is a separate problem that can be avoided. The following are the top soda drinks to shun if you want to preserve your bright smile:
- Coke
- Pepsi
- RC Cola
- 7 Up
- Mountain Dew
Of course, we won’t be able to mention them all. The general rule is that if a drink has a lot of sugar and acid, it’s best to avoid it.
Effects of soft drinks on teeth experiment
A study by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) says the following:
The erosive potential of Coca-Cola is 10 times that of fruit juices in just the first three minutes of drinking.
They did an experiment to show the harmful effects of soda on teeth:
The study measured the acidity, or pH, of 20 commercial soft drinks, including Coke, Pepsi, 7-Up, and their diet versions, immediately after cans were opened. Then slices of enamel from freshly extracted teeth were weighed before and after being immersed in the soft drinks for 48 hours.
The result was that the teeth immersed in Coke, Pepsi, RC Cola, Squirt, Surge, 7-Up and Diet-7-Up lost more than 5 percent of their weight, according to the report by Poonam Jain of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine and her colleagues. (Other sodas brought about losses in the enamel weight in the range of 1.6 percent to 5 percent).
This study demonstrates how harmful soda is to your teeth.
You can also watch this YouTube video with another experiment that illustrates what Coca-Cola does to your teeth.
Tips on how to drink soda without staining your teeth
After consuming soda, brush and floss your teeth right away: Brushing and flossing is the best way to prevent soda stains. Plaque bacteria are also eliminated, which can cause yellow teeth and decay. As a result, if you’re able, brush your teeth after every soda you consume.
If you are unable to brush your teeth, rinse your mouth: If you’re drinking a soda on the go, you might not be able to brush your teeth. In this situation, you can swish water around in your mouth.
Use a straw to drink soda: The easiest way to avoid soda coming into direct contact with your teeth is to sip it using a straw.
Drink it quickly! It’s important to remember that the less time soda spends on your teeth, the better.
Eat a snack or a meal with your soda: When you eat something, your saliva is stimulated in your mouth. This will help flush out harmful substances and prevent soda stains on your teeth.
Drink water with your soda: Sip water when drinking soda to help drain the sugar and other harmful substances from your mouth and to prevent soda-stained teeth.
How to remove soda stains from teeth
If you already have soda stains on your teeth, whitening treatments may be able to help you regain your beautiful white smile.
There are a variety of over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions to remove soda stains from teeth. These are easily available and relatively inexpensive.
A few popular teeth-whitening methods are:
There are always new teeth whitening solutions on the market. Because these products are still relatively new, there hasn’t been much study done to verify or deny their effectiveness.
When purchasing over-the-counter teeth whitening products, look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.
If you’re still not sure, talk to your dentist about getting a teeth whitening procedure.
Going to a dentist for a professional in-office whitening procedure is significantly more effective and long-lasting than doing it at home. Even the most persistent soda stains can be removed with professional teeth whitening procedures!
There are plenty of other foods and drinks that can stain your teeth as well. Does turmeric stain your teeth? It certainly can. And tea, coffee and wine stain teeth as well. Read our guides to find out more.
Conclusion
Are you still unsure about whether soda is bad for your teeth? Because it contains a lot of acids, which erodes the enamel, soda will stain your teeth. Limit your soda intake and follow these guidelines for drinking soda without staining your teeth.
Make an appointment with your dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and cleaning. Arrange a professional teeth whitening procedure if necessary to make sure that your teeth stay stain-free.
FAQ
Does Sprite stain teeth?
Sprit contains a significant amount of acid, which can cause plaque and erode enamel. This can cause tannins and black pigments to adhere to your teeth, turning them yellow.
Does Diet Coke stain your teeth?
Diet drinks may not contain sugar. However, tooth enamel is damaged and eroded by both normal and diet soda, resulting in tooth sensitivity, stains on teeth, or a chalky and transparent appearance.
livescience.com: Acids in Popular Sodas Erode Tooth Enamel. Consulted 3rd January 2022
pronamel.us: The Most Acidic Foods and Drinks for Teeth. Consulted 3rd January 2022
webmd.com: Foods and Habits That Stain Your Teeth. Consulted 3rd January 2022