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Soda Attack
Soft drinks, especially non-colas and iced tea, hurt hard enamel
CHICAGO (June 1, 2004) - As summer temperatures rise so will people's thirst. Unfortunately, many people will grab a pop or ice tea instead of water. It isn't just cola's empty calories (about 150 per 12-ounce can) you should worry about. Many of these beverages – especially non-cola drinks and canned ice tea -- harm enamel, the protective shell around teeth.

A pilot study of the effects some of these beverages had on enamel, appearing in the July/August 2004 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal, found that over time, exposing dental enamel to carbonated beverages and non-carbonated canned ice tea weakens and permanently destroys enamel.

Results from the study, which exposed healthy dental enamel to a variety of popular beverages over a period of 14 days, found that non-colas and canned iced tea were especially harmful. They contain flavor additives, such as malic, tartaric and other organic acids, which are more aggressive at eroding teeth. Root beer, which contains the least amount of flavor additives, was found to be the "safest soft drink to safeguard dental enamel."

About 27 percent of the beverages consumed by Americans are soft drinks, the study notes. Overall soft drink consumption has steadily increased over the years, and remains on the rise, contributing to an increase in oral health problems, namely cavities. In 1977, 12- to 19-year-olds drank 16 ounces of soda a day. In 1996, this same age group consumed an average of 28 ounces a day.

According to the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies (DNFS), soda consumption has increased from 22.2 gallons of cola per person per year in 1970 to 44 gallons per person per year in 1996. The National Soft Drink Association (NSDA) says that figure increased to 56 gallons in 1999-meaning about 14 billion gallons of soda were consumed in America that year. The NSDA also stated that 95 percent of Americans drink soda; and 27 percent of overall beverage consumption is soda.

Soft drinks and canned beverages are constant features of daily life, and the $54 billion the industry rakes in each year suggests it won't go away anytime soon. However, soda can be enjoyed in limited quantities. J. Anthony von Fraunhofer, MS, PhD, FADM, FRSC, lead author of the study, says that soda consumed "at meal times is less injurious than when consumed alone and continuous sipping is more harmful than the whole drink taken at one time."

According to Cynthia Sherwood, DDS and AGD spokesperson, soda's combination of sugar and acidity can be lethal to teeth. Though the level of risk varies from person to person, Dr. Sherwood says, "Repeated exposure of soda through sipping over a long period of time increases the risk of getting a cavity."

Dr. Sherwood adds that drinking soda through a straw may help reduce the amount of soda that comes into direct contact with the teeth. She also recommends that soda drinkers rinse their mouths out with water after drinking and use toothpaste that contains fluoride.

Fact:
A typical 12-once can of regular soda contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar.

Stop sipping at work:
A person who consumed 3-4 32 oz beverages per day while working at a computer terminal developed rampant dental decay.

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CONTACT: Susan Urbanczyk, public relations manager, at 312.440.4308 or media@agd.org or Jennifer Starkey, public relations coordinator, at 312.440.4341 or media@agd.org.

NOTE: Information that appears in General Dentistry, the AGD's peer-reviewed journal, AGD Impact, the AGD's newsmagazine and related press releases do not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the AGD.

The Academy of General Dentistry is a non-profit organization of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through continuing education. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patient's oral health needs.