"I thought it was just a refreshing drink, but it turned out to be a weapon that hurts teeth!" Mr. Lin, 28, never thought that the "life-saving water" that had accompanied him for three years would actually cause red lights on his teeth. Fan Huali, deputy chief physician of the Special Clinic Center of Wuyi Road Branch of Changsha Stomatological Hospital, pointed out under the lights in the clinic that Xiaolin's teeth had been eroded by acidic substances to form shallow dish-shaped gaps.
Tooth erosion refers to the process in which tooth enamel is chemically dissolved by acidic substances. Once tooth enamel is lost, it cannot be regenerated. Long-term exposure to acid erosion will make teeth sensitive, discolored, brittle, and may even cause caries. In severe cases, teeth will break.
1. Exogenous acidic substances (extracorporeal sources)
Diet: Drinks such as carbonated drinks (such as cola), fruit juices (such as lemon juice), and fruit vinegar are acidic drinks because of their low pH values.
Lifestyle: Some people frequently use lemon slices to whiten their teeth, or take acidic lozenges for a long time, which can easily cause tooth erosion.
2. Endogenous acidic substances (from the body)
Gastric acid reflux: When there is gastroesophageal reflux disease, frequent morning sickness, or vomiting due to alcohol abuse, gastric acid will corrode the inner surface of the teeth.
Certain drugs: Long-term use of acidic drugs such as vitamin C chewable tablets and aspirin may induce tooth erosion.
Affect bone quality：Health experts remind that excessive drinking of carbonated beverages may change the calcium-phosphorus ratio in the human body due to high phosphorus. Researchers also found that compared with people who do not drink carbonated beverages excessively, people who drink carbonated beverages excessively have an increased risk of fractures by about 3 times; and when they drink carbonated beverages excessively while engaging in intense physical activity, their risk of fractures may also increase by 5 times. Experts remind that childhood and adolescence are important periods for bone development. During this period, children are very active. If the intake of high phosphorus and low calcium in food is unbalanced, coupled with drinking too much carbonated beverages, it should be given enough attention. Because it may not only have a negative impact on peak bone mass, but may also lay the groundwork for osteoporosis in the future.
Damage to cells：A British study showed that carbonated drinks may cause serious damage to human cells. Experts believe that a common preservative in carbonated drinks can damage some important areas of human DNA, seriously threatening human health. It is reported that this kind of human damage caused by drinking carbonated drinks is generally associated with aging and alcohol abuse, and will eventually lead to diseases such as cirrhosis and Parkinson's disease. The focus of the study is on the safety of sodium benzoate. This preservative, code-named E211, has been widely used in the global carbonated beverage industry with a total value of 74 billion pounds. Sodium benzoate is a derivative of benzoic acid, naturally present in various berries, and is widely used as a preservative in many well-known carbonated beverages.
Sleep disorders：A new study led by the University of Queensland in Australia found that adolescents who frequently consume carbonated drinks and fast food are more likely to have sleep disorders. "Carbonated drinks often contain caffeine, and fast food is often high in calories but lacks nutrition. Excessive intake of these foods increases the chances of sleep disorders," said Asad Khan, a researcher and associate professor at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Queensland. Studies have found that adolescents who drink more than three cups of carbonated drinks a day are 55% more likely to have sleep disorders than their peers who only drink one cup a day. Male adolescents who eat fast food more than four days a week are 55% more likely to have sleep disorders than male adolescents who only eat fast food once a week, and this rate is 49% higher among female adolescents. Asad Khan said that poor sleep quality will have a negative impact on adolescent health and cognitive development.
Tooth decay：Sparkling drinks are not only the favorite of teenagers, but many infants and young children also have a special liking for them. Surveys show that carbonated drinks are the main cause of tooth erosion in teenagers and infants, but many parents are not aware of the existence of this problem. More than 90% of adolescents have corroded the protective outer layer of tooth enamel due to drinking carbonated drinks. The teeth of patients with tooth erosion are fragile and thin. If you drink a lot of carbonated drinks, your chances of developing tooth erosion will increase by 5 times. Drinking milk and water, on the contrary, can reduce the risk of tooth erosion. Carbonated drinks have a corrosive effect on teeth.
Cause diabetes：Since carbonated drinks contain a lot of sugar, long-term excessive drinking of carbonated drinks will keep the blood sugar level of the human body high for a long time, thereby damaging the function of pancreatic cells and inducing diabetes.
Moderate drinking of carbonated drinks is the key to reducing health risks. For adults, it is recommended that the daily intake should not exceed 330 ml, which is about the amount of a aluminum can of carbonated drinks.
Try to control the frequency of drinking carbonated drinks to one or two times a week, and gradually reduce it to drinking only on special occasions. Set a goal, such as reducing the amount of drinking once a week, so that you can both meet the taste needs and reduce the harm to the body.
Choosing healthy alternative drinks can not only meet the need for refreshing drinks, but also reduce the burden of carbonated drinks on the body. For example, boiled water and tea drinks are the most recommended alternatives, which can reduce the intake of sugar and carbonation.
