Dental Hygienist School Focus:
Soda Isn't the Only Culprit, Energy Drinks Erode Teeth Too

You know those sugary sodas (or, more likely, high fructose corn syrup sodas) are not so great for your teeth. But the alternative drinks you have been relying on for years can also damage your pearly whites. As CNNhealth.com reports, it's not just the sugar, but also the acid in drinks like citrus juices, energy and sports drinks, and carbonated beverages that causes tooth decay.

Acid can actually strip the enamel off your teeth, causing serious erosion, which can impact all the teeth at once—unlike cavities, which attack only the affected area. And this erosion can result in discolored, cracked and even disintegrated teeth.

Find Dental Hygienist Schools

While lab research cannot replicate the human mouth perfectly, scientists have drawn some conclusions about how you can avoid tooth decay.

• Drink acidic beverages in moderation.
• Don't sip—drink that acidic beverage at once instead of going back to it all day.
• Use a straw to avoid bathing your teeth with the liquid.
• Rinse your mouth with water after you finish your soda or an acidic drink.
• Enjoy a glass of water instead.

Dental hygienist schools will teach you these tricks and more. Then you can pass on what you've learned to your patients, and help them keep their teeth healthy for many years to come.

Find Dental Hygienist Schools

Related Reading:

• Get your nutritionist certification or become a registered dietitian
• Read Top Five Reasons to Become a Dental Hygienist

Read More Health Care Community Articles

Find a Health Care Specialty Today – Your Health Care Degree is One Step Away!