Another hard core Diet Cola drinker, who’s last check-up was rated as 'exceptional". One 30 yo filling had cracked, and they suggested a crown to replace it- which since I just then had pretty good Dental Insurance, I went for. Not a cavity in sight, and I hadn’t been in for some 4-5 years. Teeth needed very little cleaning, too.
“Dry Mouth” or smoking can leave your teeth and gums very open to decay. Is she a smoker? Does she suffer from dry Mouth?
If she does indeed have trouble with dry mouth, she might try these things that help me:
-After drinking or eating anything sugary, I immediately chew Trident gum. It contains Xylitol, which can help prevent cavities, and stimulates saliva flow.
-Every night before bed, after brushing my teeth, I use a daily fluoride rinse (I prefer the Oral-B brand). The combination of these two things in conjunction with regular brushing and a spray to stimulate saliva flow has halted the decay considerably. Maybe she can give these a try?
found this on snopes–which is somewhat relative it seems
Biotene Toothpaste is great if you have Dry Mouth- and also if you don’t. It is also one of the few that don’t contain SLS- an additive that adds “foaming action” but causes canker sores in many.
Ditto for me except that it’s Diet Coke for me and at least a deuce(2L) a day. And my dental hygeine isn’t all it could be, either. I tend to fall asleep reading or watching TV without doing my evening brushing 4-5 times a week.
Of course it is possible that genetics is at play here, too; both of my grandmothers still have all their teeth beyond age 80. One still has no cavities at all and will be 85 next month.
It is the phosphoric acid in the soda that eats into teeth (citric acid in clear sodas).
You can buy phosphoric acid as Naval Jelly at your local hardware store. It also eats away rust. If you don’t happen to have any Naval Jelly around; use soda to remove rust.
The other factors are:
The buffering capability of your saliva
The acid resistance of your teeth
The length of time the soda is in your mouth
Sugar from other sources
The particular bacteria growing in your mouth
Tooth brushing abilities
Some people are lucky, some are not.
tdn:
“A few years ago” is NOT a short time. Decay gets through the very hard enamel shell and into the softer dentin. It then hollows out teeth without external indication.
Any drink with high acidity (sodas, orange, grapefruit, etc.) softens the teeth. Sugar adds fuel to the fire: food for the decay germs.
Try this experiment: Slide your teeth against each other. Notice how slippery they are. Now sip on soda for a half hour. They will not feel as slippery. The acid has already started to eat into your teeth. Now add sugar and you are on your way to rotten teeth.
rwj