Many people walk to the fridge, pull out a can, and pop open the tab of a quenching can of diet soda when they’re thirsty. It’s better for you because it’s diet and there is no sugar in it, right? While you’re correct in the fact that there’s no sugar, it’s not necessarily better for you. At my dental office in St. Petersburg, we want everyone to be aware that diet soda can be detrimental to your teeth.

In fact, excessive consumption of diet soda can cause damage to your smile similar to the damage caused methamphetamine or cocaine. All of them have high levels of acid, and acid can cause damage to tooth enamel. With the loss of tooth enamel, smiles are at greater risk for developing cavities, discoloration, sensitivity, and other damage like cracked or broken teeth. By keeping up on regular appointments with your St. Petersburg dentist, you’re able to better protect your smile from the damaging effects of dangerous acid.

Even if you do maintain a healthy at-home hygiene routine and keep up with visits to my St. Petersburg dental office, you’re still at risk for an unhealthy smile if you drink a lot of soda or use illegal drugs.

The similarity between diet soda drinkers and illegal drug abusers was found in a study published in a 2013 edition of the Academy of General Dentistry journal, General Dentistry. The study took three volunteers with different backgrounds and examined the damage of their teeth. One individual was a former cocaine user, another was a current methamphetamine addict, and the last was an excessive diet soda drinker. The results of the study showed strong similarities in the oral health of all three.

If you’re overdue for a dental checkup, or if you’re addicted to soda, already have damage caused by soda, or even damage caused by a past drug use, call my dental office in St. Petersburg. We’ll conduct an in-depth exam, get to know you, and work with you to get your smile healthy and looking great.