A good replacement for pop?

[Red Squirrel]

I enjoy having a pepsi here and there throughout the day. Usually max of 2, but lately I've been on 1 max. Other times if I go out or what not I'll have a few, especially if watching a movie.

The problem is, it's very bad for the teeth enamel, and I've already started getting minor cavities every 2-3 dentist checkups. Today I actually had a tooth chip while flossing and was lucky enough to be able to go for a visit today to have it fixed.

What are some drinks other then water that are not as bad for the teeth? I'm thinking of just switching the kind of pop I drink as pepsi is high up there on the acid scale, but would it even help? I've read root bear is not as bad on the teeth, is this true?

I usually drink water after I drink a pop but it depends where I'm at or what the situation is (ex: easy access to water). I always brush before going to bed.

 

[DeckardBlade]

Beyond just weening your way off of soda and concentrating on water, you can go with seltzer/carbonated water or get some of the flavored ones. If you find them too bland you can always go and add some lemon juice concentrate.

If you don't have any problems with artificial sweeteners; why not try going with diet soda instead? You could use that as a stepping stone for yourself if you want to get off soda altogether. I personally like the Diet Pepsi Max.

I'm not a dentist but I don't think any drink with 20+ grams of sugar(HFCS) in it is going to be good for your teeth. Water will never be bad for your teeth and you could always go with milk as well.

You might want to ask your dentist about MI Paste if you're concerned about your enamel. Mine has had me use that for a while now and well I pretty much blindly listen to my dentist so I haven't bothered to form an opinion of how well it works or doesn't.

 

[gramboh]

Try going to diet for a while, that is what I did, it tastes worse but still gives you some satisfaction. Then after a while start to quit it all together, it will be easier to quit since diet tastes afwul. Note that the artificial sweetners in diet pop are controversial in terms of health effects. I used to drink a decent amount of pop (probably an average of 5 a week maybe? Slightly under one a day) and now I never drink it except the odd mixed cocktail once in a while. I just drink water now and milk sometimes. I did the same thing with fruit juice (used to drink it every morning at breakfast). Too much sugar.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Hmm I could try diet. What about grape juice or pretty much any other juice other then orange juice? Guessing most have lot of sugar and acids too.

Also does using a straw actually help? I've heard it does.

 

[imported_Imp]

I stopped drinking pop recently; actually, I've started laying off the stuff for weeks at a time the past year. My old reason was due to the caffeine, but now it's due to the sugar. Not worried about weight, it's the 'badness' of sugar getting to me.

Nothing really replaces pop. Even now, I indulge myself once or twice a week. Not a cavity in the past year or two. And I brush in the morning, so everyone's there to rot for the night.

You could try Nestle's Green Tea. That's my replacement now. Only problem is that it's also loaded with sugar. Otherwise, it's orange juice, milk or water.

 

[DeckardBlade]

I'm not sure how much the straw helps, my understanding is that less of your drink makes contact with your teeth than if you were to drink it without one. So I guess your teeth would be exposed to less sugar and acid because of that. It would probably be pretty hard to figure out what the differential actually is. It certainly won't make it worse.

I would say that if you haven't tried diet yet that would be a very good starting point. Personally I have found that over the years they have greatly improved the taste in the diet sodas. If you'd like some recommendations let me know.

I personally stay away from juices or rather sugar in general so I'm not too sure about the pH of grape juice; I'd guess it's less than lemonade or orange juice but I really have no idea.

Forgot to note -- drinking water right after the soda or even juice is a very good habit recommended to me by my hygienist.

 

[Kipper]

Originally posted by: gramboh
Try going to diet for a while, that is what I did, it tastes worse but still gives you some satisfaction. Then after a while start to quit it all together, it will be easier to quit since diet tastes afwul. Note that the artificial sweetners in diet pop are controversial in terms of health effects. I used to drink a decent amount of pop (probably an average of 5 a week maybe? Slightly under one a day) and now I never drink it except the odd mixed cocktail once in a while. I just drink water now and milk sometimes. I did the same thing with fruit juice (used to drink it every morning at breakfast). Too much sugar.

This claim is completely unproven and unsubstantiated. Many of the sweeteners have been shown in countless scientific studies to be safe. With a few exceptions such as Stevia, for which there is little scientific data (i.e. we don't know if it is safe), artificial sweeteners can be considered safe.

I have problems with them that center on the fact they don't actually modify any behavior, they simply enable it without the associated calories. If you're going to drink soda, you might as well make it the real thing, don't you think? Otherwise you get stuck in that "in-between" zone where you're stuck eating olestra chips and diet coke but haven't actually changed at all.

The issue with caries is not sugar consumption per se, it is the frequency of consuming carbohydrate - not just refined sugars. Foods which are sticky (e.g. raisins, whole wheat bread) and stick to teeth increase the risk. Soda is no more "risky" than a slice of bread, but if you are sipping the soda all day, you will be at a greater risk than somebody who drinks it over fifteen minutes and goes about their business. In this respect, "grazers" (people who eat and snack all day) are at higher risk. If you are one of these, you might consider brushing more frequently or at the very least, chew gum more frequently. Chewing produces saliva, which neutralizes the acids produced by bacteria AND can reduce the microbial load in the mouth.

Consider these options in lieu of sodas:

0.) Water (this should be your goal for 95% of beverage intake).
1.) Seltzer for the 'fizz.'
2.) Crystal light for flavor
3.) Lemon with water
4.) Unsweetened coffee or tea (coffee, if I'm not mistaken, is linked to caries prevention).

 

[dealmaster00]

water

 

[ggnl]

Drink coffee if you just need the caffeine. Otherwise switch to diet, or, even better, switch to water. Juices, especially citrus, are almost as bad for your teeth as soda is.

 

[Titan]

Spring water is best. If you feel the urge to buy something when say, in a gsa station look for seltzer or at worst, a vitamin water. I love me blueberry Polar seltzer.

Chew a xylitol gum after every meal, such as Trident. I also recommend Spry or Zapp for pure xylitol. This will help prevent cavities.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

tea