Most of us would guess that diet soda is better for us or our teeth in general. Well we are here to warn you that that’s actually a myth and a falsity. Each are degrading to your teeth in every way so stop drinking them. You’re teeth are a vital part of your body so don’t ruin what’s already there. Don’t believe us? Read on. 

Regular soda tooth decay

Aside from being extremely acidic, regular sodas are very sugary which can thus overtime lead to tooth decay because sugar is the pest that leads to the bacterial decay that’s built up in your mouth. What people actually don’t realize is that the longer you sip on your soda or carbonated beverage throughout the day, the longer it will take for your saliva to neutralize the pH in your mouth. If you drink it all in one sitting, you are actually doing yourself a favor, if you absolutely can’t live without soda and the taste of it.

Diet soda tooth decay

Here’s where I may crush some of your dreams. Diet soda causes almost or about the same amount of tooth decay as regular soda. Using the same explanation from regular soda, diet soda is very acidic and weakens the enamel on your teeth. This then makes your teeth more susceptible to dental erosion and cavities. The acid found in diet drinks and sugar-free drinks is actually worse than in regular drinks so it’s encouraging to stay away from this beverage as well.

What’s good to drink then?

Any beverage that is lower in acidity is always a good idea to consume rather than sodas and other acidic drinks. You’ll be doing yourself a favor because by staying away acidic beverages, you in turn will be keeping your enamel strong. No one wants to see yellow teeth or wants to smell bad breath, so do yourself a kindness and keep your teeth clean and fresher longer. 

Tip

Keep in mind too. The younger you are when you start drinking soda, the worse it will become. At a young age, your teeth aren’t fully developed yet which will lead to more decay.

Canine teeth, only dogs have those right? Wrong. People have them too and they’re the teeth that allow for rotary chewing action. You may be wondering why we are writing a blog about this subject, but we think it’s important to not only keep your teeth clean, but for you to also know the important functions of your teeth in general.

What are your Canine Teeth Anyway?

Your canine teeth are located at the corners of your dental arches. They have a sharp and pointy biting surface. There are four of them, each located in each half of the jaw. It has an oversized root which is a characteristic of a large canine. 

Why do you need them?

For us, canine teeth play a major role in eating, speaking and actually maintaining the shape of your lips. Canines help cut and tear your food when eating so you can swallow the bite-sized pieces. In terms of speaking, your canines work with your incisors to help form words. Most importantly, they keep your teeth in line by maintaining the position of your upper and lower teeth when your lower jaw is moving from side to side.

How are our canine teeth different from an animal’s?

Yes, we all have canine teeth, but there are differences in the sizing and use of them. For animals, canines are another way to attack or kill but the main function for ours are to tear apart food to digest. They do only have four canines like we do and they are located in the same areas as ours are.

Oh, the dreaded wisdom teeth! Their name may imply that their appearance is the start of a positive, even honorable experience. However, the only thing “wise” about that experience seems to be taking the recommended actions of removing them!

Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the very back of your mouth. They typically appear without warning. Even your original adult teeth do not seem to expect their arrival, forcing your wisdom teeth to “make room” in your mouth. If this is permitted, your wisdom teeth will have to shove neighboring teeth out of the way, forcing all of your teeth to push forward and altering your smile. This can eventually lead to pain and discomfort. Talk about rude!

To prevent this, dental appointments are made to have the wisdom teeth surgically removed. This process in itself typically leads to a painful aftermath - but only temporarily. It’s as if these teeth do not leave without a fight!

However, is wisdom teeth removal necessary for everyone? How do you know if you must put your foot down to your teeth’s home invaders? According to the American Dental Association, you should seek medical attention for
wisdom teeth if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Repeated infection of soft tissue behind the lower last tooth
• Fluid-filled sacs (cysts)
• Tumors
• Damage to nearby teeth
• Gum disease
• Extensive tooth decay

However, if it’s always best to seek the advice of a dentist as soon as you feel these extra molars start to form. Sometimes they will examine your wisdom teeth and decide that they will not cause any of the symptoms above and are perfectly safe to keep. They may decide that only your top molars need to be removed vs your bottom, or vice versa! Talk to your dentist or an oral surgeon about what’s the best course of action to take!