Mountain Dew Mouth
By Kara Dillon, RDH-E
These days we are seeing an alarming increase in horribly
decayed teeth and eroded enamel in the mouths of teenagers
and young adults. Dentists across the country are seeing
this common condition and have a name for it: Mountain
Dew Mouth.
All soft drinks
can cause tooth decay, but dentists consider Mountain Dew
to be the worst because it contains high amounts
of sugar and caffeine. You may not realize the amount of
sugar you are consuming when you drink your favorite can
of soda. Think about it: in a 12 – ounce can of Mountain
Dew, there are 46 grams of refined sugars. These are listed
as “carbohydrates.” At 46 grams, that’s
almost 12 teaspoons of sugar in each can consumed! Doing
the Dew with a 20 – ounce bottle will give your child
19 teaspoons of sugar! Not only is the amount of sugar breathtaking,
these carbonated beverages also contain citric acid and carbonic
acid both of which can be detrimental to your teeth.
Where does the rampant decay come into the picture? The
sugars consumed are processed by the bacteria that live in
the mouth. These bacteria produce acidic plaque that is formed
on the teeth. Along with poor brushing and flossing habits,
the acids in the plaque erode away the protective enamel
on the teeth. Frequent daily consumption of soft drinks allows
the enamel to erode away very quickly and large black, dark
brown areas of the tooth begin to appear.
Are
you a candidate? If you find white spots along the gum
line of your teeth
or are sensitive to sweets, consult with
your dentist. Regular checkups with your dentist help to
identify lesions of new decay before they can become bigger
problems. You’ve heard it time and time again – brush
and floss! If you must indulge in a sugary beverage, brushing,
flossing, rinsing, and regular check-ups with your dentist
are your best bets.
For personal information about yourself or your family
please contact your dentist or health care provider.
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