Study Claims Diet Soda as Bad for Teeth as Meth or Crack

According to a study performed in 2013 and published in General Dentistry, drinking heavy amounts of diet soda can be as damaging to teeth as using methamphetamines or crack cocaine. Dr. Mohamed Bassiouny, a professor of restorative dentistry at Temple University conducted the study involving three participants, a woman in her 30’s who drank two liters a day of diet soda, a 29-year-old man who is addicted to meth, and a 51-year-old man with a history of crack abuse. Unsurprisingly, all of them had severely decayed teeth.

Dr. Bassiouny states in the study that the degree of the decay and how it took place were all similar. It’s common knowledge that sodas are highly acidic drinks, and even diet varieties are not at all safer or healthier for tooth enamel. Methamphetamine and crack cocaine are also highly acidic substances that wear away at tooth enamel, and users also experience decreased saliva flow while using, thereby compounding the problem.

While it’s safe to assume that soda’s effect on teeth is absolutely detrimental, the study participant qualifies as an exceptional case. Not only did she drink exorbitant amounts of diet soda every day, she also admitted that she had not seen a dentist in several years. A casual soda drinker is not likely to see such extreme effects, but it’s important to remember that the acidity in soda can cause damage, and rinsing with water afterwards can help.

On top of maintaining a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, which was not particularly touched upon in the study, staying on top of your oral hygiene routine and visiting the dentist regularly is absolutely vital to prevent the process of decay from affecting your teeth. If you’re due for a checkup, make an appointment with your Tempe dentist today.