What does pop really do to your teeth? While we’ve addressed this question before, it’s always a good idea to revisit ways to cut down your soda consumption. In addition to being terrible for your teeth, drinking pop can cause whole body health problems. And diet sodas aren’t free of blame – they’re just as acidic, causing tooth decay, and may also be linked to systemic conditions like diabetes. A recent study actually showed that those who drank 1-6 diet sodas per week had nearly twice the risk of stroke as those who did not drink diet sodas.
So what can you do to get your family drinking pop responsibly? We’ve put together an infographic that will answer some of your questions and get you on the path toward a healthier diet. If you’re interested in finding ways to convince your kids of pop’s bad effects, scroll down for an easy experiment you can carry out at home.
Before the experiment, talk to your child about good oral hygiene and how it removes plaque from the mouth. Then, discuss the effects that various drinks have on teeth and how acidic drinks can be dangerous.
Boil several eggs and set out a few cups – one with pop (use a clear one so that you can see through it), one with diet soda, and one with water. Put a boiled egg in each cup and leave it overnight. The next day, have your child look at the eggs and note what changes they see.
If you’re ever looking for extra dental health activities and teachable dental moments for your kids, just get in touch!
