It's well-known that certain foods and drinks are likely to cause teeth discoloration or make stains on your teeth, such as coffee, tea, and red wine. But what about soda? What kinds of effects can you expect from drinking sugary and carbonated beverages of various colors?
Well, the way in which sodas can affect your teeth is quite complicated, since there are light sodas, dark sodas, diet sodas, and full-sugar sodas. But, in this guide, we’ll simplify the whole situation and explain exactly what soda can do to your teeth.
The Truth about Soda Stains on Teeth
So, does soda stain teeth? The simple answer is yes. If you drink lots of soda on a regular basis, you'll be more likely to have stained or yellowish teeth compared to someone who opts for safer alternatives, like water.
However, the way in which soda can stain your teeth and the risks of soda teeth stains will depend on which type of soda you drink. For example, dark sodas like cola tend to contain pigments that are more likely to lead to rapid staining.
Does this mean that light sodas are safe and won't cause teeth stains? Not at all. Even light and transparent sodas can still trigger teeth yellowing and stains over time, due to their acidic and sugary content.
How Does Soda Stain Your Teeth?
So, how do sodas like Pepsi and 7UP affect your teeth and cause stains and discoloration? Well, it's mostly due to their acidic content. All sodas, both dark and light, tend to be high in acids that wear away at the enamel of your teeth.
Enamel is the outer layer on each tooth that helps to protect the more sensitive and delicate core from damages; it’s tough, but it can wear over time, especially when exposed to harmful elements and ingredients, like soda acids.
The acidic particles enter tiny holes or pores inside the enamel and erode it over time, making those holes bigger. As the holes grow, more soda and other stain-causing substances can get inside, causing the teeth to visibly change color.
It’s also worth noting that a lot of soda drinks are very high in sugar. Sugar can cause tooth decay, wearing away at teeth and making them weaker. This also makes the teeth more likely to become discolored as the years go by.
Worst Sodas for Your Teeth
You might assume that dark sodas like Coca-Cola and Pepsi are the worst for teeth stains, since they're so dark. And, while it's true that cola-based drinks can be particularly bad for teeth, even lighter options like Mountain Dew also rank among the worst sodas for teeth.
In general, any soda that is high in acid and sugar will have a high chance of causing teeth discoloration, especially when consumed in large quantities. This is why it’s always best to drink soda in moderation, or opt for alternative drinks that are less sugary and acidic.
How to Remove Soda Stains from Teeth
Clearly, soda is a risky thing to drink if you want to have a bright, white smile, and many people find out too late just how much damage their love of soda has caused to their teeth. Fortunately, even if you’ve been drinking soda for years and have yellow or discolored teeth as a result, there are options out there to help you make your teeth white once more.
- Clinical Whitening Treatment - One of the most effective forms of teeth whitening is clinical treatment from your dentist. Dentists have access to specialized whitening and bleaching solutions that can make even yellow and brownish teeth look much whiter and clearer. The downside to this treatment is that it can cost a lot of money.
- Commercial Whitening Products - For a more affordable solution that can also produce incredible results, you might like to opt for teeth whitening products from your local drugstore, like whitening pens, strips, or toothpastes. These products are capable of lightening your teeth by several shades with regular use.
- Homemade Teeth Whitening Solutions - It’s also possible to mix a few household ingredients, like baking soda and water, to make your own teeth whitening pastes and mouthwashes. Such products can be effective for surface-level stains, but may do more harm than good if used for too long.
Tips to Avoid Staining Teeth from Soda
While there are various teeth whitening methods and treatments you can use to get rid of soda stains, there are also plenty of simple lifestyle changes you can start making today to reduce the risks of your teeth yellowing from soda. Here are some expert-recommended tips and tricks to keep in mind:
- Drink Less Soda - Obviously, one of the most effective changes you can make is to simply drink less soda. The less you drink, the less your teeth will be exposed to those harmful acids and sugars, and this will lower your chances of teeth staining.
- Brush Teeth Well - Regular soda drinkers should also make sure they brush their teeth very well, as this is crucial for protecting the enamel and getting rid of plaque and acids that stick around on the surface or at the base of each tooth.
- Rinse Your Mouth with Water - After drinking some soda, have a glass of water. It can act like a mouthwash, rinsing away any of the sugar or acids that may be lingering on your teeth and preventing them from doing as much damage.
- Use a Straw - Another easy and effective way to continue enjoying soda without the same risk of stains is to use a straw. If you use a straw, the soda won’t spend as much time in contact with your teeth, so it won’t be able to harm them as much.
- Eat Food with Soda - It’s also recommended to eat some snacks with your soda. When you eat food, it can provide a coating around the teeth to protect them against acids, and it also helps to stimulate more saliva production to wash away sugars.
