Metal Mouth Message Board

I was specifically told by my orthodontic assistant not to drink soda and to avoid carbonated drinks all together. (beer too?!?)

My question is I like to drink lo-carb Monster soda on occasion. I am wondering if the real issue is the sugar attacking the bonding agents between the teeth and the braces or is the carbonation? Anyone know for sure? Lo-carb Monster is the only diet drink I can stand to drink.

anyone? anyone? Buehler?

My guess is that it has to do with the sugar and what it does it our precious teeth. Plus, from what I was told, the bonding material traps all sorts of stuff. It attracts all the bad stuff we shouldn't have.

When you think about it, we aren't supposed to eat lemons either.

I'm not sure I would have gone though treatment if I was told I couldn't drink beer! Good god! I gave up red wine b/c of lig staining. Beer too? That's just too much!

But seriously--I drank beer and diet soda throughout my treatment. No ill effects. Never knew not to. Was never told not to.

Sugary soda is clearly a no-no for all the reasons you would expect--it's sugar, which sticks to your teeth. Braces are already a pain to clean around so you're just asking for trouble. But I've never heard of carbonation being an issue.

I think it's the acid in the pop that's the thing people question, because it can soften the enamel. Then again, so can oranges! I think I was instructed not to drink diet pop and then immediately brush my teeth but to swish and wait a while. The sugar is the biggest culprit, though.

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate them.