Soda and braces, permanent damage to the teeth???

[hazybubbles]

The effect of soda being in contact with teeth is no different if they have braces on not, think about it, you aren't changing what the teeth are made of! what will be different however is the amount of little places the sugar from it can stick to after drinking when you have braces. Soda affects teeth in 2 ways, firstly the acid weakens enamel so you should not brush straight after drinking as the weakened enamel will be worn away. Secondly, the sugar causes plaque bacteria to build up which again can weaken enamel and start patches of decay.

If you have braces there are more areas that are difficult to brush where plaque can build up, making decay more likely. You also have areas under the brackets that are relatively protected from what you are putting in your mouth so over time there may be visible differences been those and the rest of your teeth if you are drinking lots of soda.

Overall I think the general answer is soda is bad for your teeth whether you have braces or not!

[ArchWired28]

Thank you for all the replies, guys! Yup, soda is bad for you no matter if you are braces or not However, I am still trying to figure out why drinking soda while in braces may cause permament damage to the teeth... I mean, there should be a reason why my ortho gives everyone this paper. Appears there is no difference in braces vs no braces, maybe it is due to poor brushing in braces? I brush extensively after every meal + in the morning and before bed, so I am wondering if I am doing everything I can to keep those decalcification stains off.

[ArchWired28]

I would imagine, those ugly decalcification stains will not develop overnight. I think they will only develop very slowly over months and months in braces when build-up accumulates due to chronic poor brushing in the same areas. Does this sound right? Definitely something I will try to ask during my next appointment.

[sirwired]

I think the brackets may get in the way of the natural cleaning done by your tongue, lips, and cheeks, making it easier for plaque to accumulate.

[ArchWired28]

I think the brackets may get in the way of the natural cleaning done by your tongue, lips, and cheeks, making it easier for plaque to accumulate.

This is so true! Can something be done about it besides proper brushing?

[sirwired]

I can't imagine that beyond brushing promptly, anything but keeping up with fluoride rinse is going to help. (Personally I use generic Listerine after b-fast and lunch, and generic 0.05% ACT at bedtime.) And even then, fluoride is not a "magic wand"; after all, it's already in your toothpaste and possibly your tap water.

If the sugars are stuck on the teeth, you are going to get plaque. If you don't brush, it's going to stay there. If it stays there, you'll get de-calcification spots. Maybe prescription-strength fluoride treatments would help, but they run the risk of fluorosis. Any I think it's unlikely a dentist will prescribe prescription-strength daily fluoride in the absence of active decay.

[bride123105]

crooked rory wrote:
> Based on the results of my dental checkups, I would say that it is the same. I have
> had no tooth decay other than 4 small cavities that were on x-ray that I did not
> feel. That was after 4 years of not brushing, and drinking diet soda like water.
> Also, 10 years from my last dental checkup.

Not everyone is this lucky. If I only brush once a day consistently I get a horrible report at a 6 month checkup.