For those who like diet coke, got some bad news.
foot56
Posts: 44
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/05/23/diet-soda-habit-as-bad-for-teeth-as-meth-addiction-study-claims
Diet Soda Habit as Bad for Teeth as Meth Addiction, Study Claims
Acid in both can erode teeth over time
By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.
"You look at it side-to-side with 'meth mouth' or 'coke mouth,' it is startling to see the intensity and extent of damage more or less the same," said Dr. Mohamed Bassiouny, a professor of restorative dentistry at the Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia.
Methamphetamine, crack cocaine and soda -- sweetened or not -- are all highly acidic and can cause similar dental problems, Bassiouny said in a study published recently in the journal General Dentistry.
The acid in soda is in the form of citric acid and phosphoric acid, Bassiouny said. Without good dental hygiene, constant exposure can cause erosion and significant oral damage, he said.
In his study, he found that a woman in her 30s who drank 2 liters of diet soda daily for three to five years experienced tooth rot and decay remarkably similar to that suffered by a 29-year-old methamphetamine addict and a 51-year-old habitual crack cocaine user.
The younger man had used methamphetamine for three years, and often downed two or three cans of regular soda a day because the drugs made his mouth so dry. The older man reported an 18-year history of crack abuse.
The woman said concerns about weight gain led her to choose diet soda over regular, and admitted that she had not seen a dentist in many years, according to the study. She also associated sweetened beverages with a higher risk of tooth decay.
Her teeth were soft and discolored, with many destroyed by erosion. She usually sipped the beverage directly from a can or a bottle, and held the soda in her mouth before swallowing, Bassiouny said.
"She also mentioned that when doing so, she habitually leaned on her left side against the arm of the sofa while watching television," he said. The "massive" damage to the left side of her mouth bore this out and resulted in what is called a collapsed bite.
"None of the teeth affected by erosion were salvageable," Bassiouny said. The woman had to have all of her teeth removed and replaced with dentures.
Methamphetamine and crack are known to ravage the mouths of users, and the two drug abusers needed all of their teeth extracted.
Besides exposing teeth to damaging acid, these illegal drugs reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth, providing less opportunity for the acids to wash away. The drugs also cause systemic health problems that affect dental hygiene. Previous studies have linked "meth mouth" with rampant decay.
A group representing soft drink manufacturers said this case study should not be seen as an indictment of diet sodas generally.
"The woman referenced in this article did not receive dental health services for more than 20 years -- two-thirds of her life," the American Beverage Association said in a statement. "To single out diet soda consumption as the unique factor in her tooth decay and erosion -- and to compare it to that from illicit drug use -- is irresponsible.
"The body of available science does not support that beverages are a unique factor in causing tooth decay or erosion," the group said. "However, we do know that brushing and flossing our teeth, along with making regular visits to the dentist, play a very important role in preventing them."
Dr. Eugene Antenucci, spokesman for the Academy of General Dentistry, said he was not surprised by Bassiouny's findings.
"From my experience, the damage that happens to people's mouths from cocaine or methamphetamine are degrees greater than what I see from soda, but I see a lot of damage from soda," said Antenucci, a dentist in Huntington, N.Y.
Damage from excessive soda consumption can cause "very deep brown stains, where it's actually eroded into the tooth, and the teeth are soft and leathery," he said.
Diet Soda Habit as Bad for Teeth as Meth Addiction, Study Claims
Acid in both can erode teeth over time
By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.
"You look at it side-to-side with 'meth mouth' or 'coke mouth,' it is startling to see the intensity and extent of damage more or less the same," said Dr. Mohamed Bassiouny, a professor of restorative dentistry at the Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia.
Methamphetamine, crack cocaine and soda -- sweetened or not -- are all highly acidic and can cause similar dental problems, Bassiouny said in a study published recently in the journal General Dentistry.
The acid in soda is in the form of citric acid and phosphoric acid, Bassiouny said. Without good dental hygiene, constant exposure can cause erosion and significant oral damage, he said.
In his study, he found that a woman in her 30s who drank 2 liters of diet soda daily for three to five years experienced tooth rot and decay remarkably similar to that suffered by a 29-year-old methamphetamine addict and a 51-year-old habitual crack cocaine user.
The younger man had used methamphetamine for three years, and often downed two or three cans of regular soda a day because the drugs made his mouth so dry. The older man reported an 18-year history of crack abuse.
The woman said concerns about weight gain led her to choose diet soda over regular, and admitted that she had not seen a dentist in many years, according to the study. She also associated sweetened beverages with a higher risk of tooth decay.
Her teeth were soft and discolored, with many destroyed by erosion. She usually sipped the beverage directly from a can or a bottle, and held the soda in her mouth before swallowing, Bassiouny said.
"She also mentioned that when doing so, she habitually leaned on her left side against the arm of the sofa while watching television," he said. The "massive" damage to the left side of her mouth bore this out and resulted in what is called a collapsed bite.
"None of the teeth affected by erosion were salvageable," Bassiouny said. The woman had to have all of her teeth removed and replaced with dentures.
Methamphetamine and crack are known to ravage the mouths of users, and the two drug abusers needed all of their teeth extracted.
Besides exposing teeth to damaging acid, these illegal drugs reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth, providing less opportunity for the acids to wash away. The drugs also cause systemic health problems that affect dental hygiene. Previous studies have linked "meth mouth" with rampant decay.
A group representing soft drink manufacturers said this case study should not be seen as an indictment of diet sodas generally.
"The woman referenced in this article did not receive dental health services for more than 20 years -- two-thirds of her life," the American Beverage Association said in a statement. "To single out diet soda consumption as the unique factor in her tooth decay and erosion -- and to compare it to that from illicit drug use -- is irresponsible.
"The body of available science does not support that beverages are a unique factor in causing tooth decay or erosion," the group said. "However, we do know that brushing and flossing our teeth, along with making regular visits to the dentist, play a very important role in preventing them."
Dr. Eugene Antenucci, spokesman for the Academy of General Dentistry, said he was not surprised by Bassiouny's findings.
"From my experience, the damage that happens to people's mouths from cocaine or methamphetamine are degrees greater than what I see from soda, but I see a lot of damage from soda," said Antenucci, a dentist in Huntington, N.Y.
Damage from excessive soda consumption can cause "very deep brown stains, where it's actually eroded into the tooth, and the teeth are soft and leathery," he said.
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Replies
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The plural of anecdote is not data.In his study, he found that a woman in her 30s who drank 2 liters of diet soda daily for three to five years experienced tooth rot and decay remarkably similar to that suffered by a 29-year-old methamphetamine addict and a 51-year-old habitual crack cocaine user.
doesn't sound like a double blind study with a statistically significant sample...........0 -
The plural of anecdote is not data.In his study, he found that a woman in her 30s who drank 2 liters of diet soda daily for three to five years experienced tooth rot and decay remarkably similar to that suffered by a 29-year-old methamphetamine addict and a 51-year-old habitual crack cocaine user.
doesn't sound like a double blind study with a statistically significant sample...........The acid in soda is in the form of citric acid and phosphoric acid, Bassiouny said. Without good dental hygiene, constant exposure can cause erosion and significant oral damage, he said.
This too. Friggen' oranges have citric acid - they'll kill your teeth if you ate an extreme amount everyday.0 -
So what you are saying is diet soda is bad for you? Not really news...0
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Don't care. I know how to use a toothbrush.0
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"The woman referenced in this article did not receive dental health services for more than 20 years -- two-thirds of her life,"
Would that have had anything to do with it as well? :noway:0 -
1 cavity in my life, drink 4 or so diet cokes a day. Used to drink tons more.
ETA: Also, in for ludicrous claims about diet soda that are bound to follow.0 -
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One poorly presented case study proves nothing other than they don't have a clue how to do property scientific research.0
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I drank a 2 liter Diet Pepsi every day for about 30 years. Every day. Never knew what caffeine withdrawal was. NO cavities0
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This doesn't make sense.
Acid effects enamel which is completely different than what meth does.
Meth causes lower flow of saliva which causes food to decay your teeth.
This study is retarded.0 -
Finding one woman with a diet coke addiction and bad oral hygiene doesn't make this a scientific study.0
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The woman said concerns about weight gain led her to choose diet soda over regular, and admitted that she had not seen a dentist in many years, according to the study. She also associated sweetened beverages with a higher risk of tooth decay.
This couldn't possibly have anything to do with tooth decay.0 -
Dude.. I can "write" a study and publish it with a news organization with a medical degree and a few years of school, doesn't mean I'm intelligent.
Meth mouth doesn't come from the acidity, it comes from the dry mouth. When you take amphetamines, be it ADHD medication or illegal drugs, or chemical cousins to amphetamines like ephedrine cause vasoconstriction throughout the body. The lack of saliva from the reduced blood flow to the mouth allow bacteria to thrive. This is compounded by dehydration, which is common among people who are taking amphets, recreational or medicinally.
The artificial sweeteners found in diet soda also cause dry mouth for many people. Dehydration is also a concern, given the choice of diet soda over water.
And lastly, yes, the acidity of soda will erode enamel, but that's certainly not the only cause, a minor one at that. I don't see the article calling orange juice destructive... yet it's MUCH more acidic than diet soda.
Lol the article doesn't even define "heavy" use.
Diet soda is fine, in moderation.0 -
...lol? I'm sure if I were to forgo a dentist from now until 40 my teeth would be pretty janky too, even if all I drank was water. Basic oral hygine (and a lack thereof) probably had more to do with it than the diet soda.
I'll keep sipping my pepsi max thank you very much.0 -
I hate this thread so much I just got up and cracked open a Coke Zero.0
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woah... people smoke diet coke now? man this recession got people doing some desperate *kitten*.
thanks for the bro science. everyone knows diet coke strengthens your teeth. fricken stronger than helms deep. helms fricken deep b!tches!0 -
So IF I drink 5.5 times MORE diet soda than I currently drink on average AND I quit brushing and flossing my teeth AND quit going to the dentist, my teeth will rot? Allow me to show you my shocked face. -_-0
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Don't care. I know how to use a toothbrush.
That won't prevent erosion. In fact, if you brush your teeth after drinking (diet) coke or something like orange juice, it will only worsen the erosion. Best is to drink a glass of milk or water after drinking something like diet coke, so the neutral pH of water/milk wil cancel out the cancel out the bad effects from coke.0 -
I always drink my (diet) coke through a straw, whenever I do drink it (which is rarely).
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I use to use aspatamen and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgie since I stopped using it I have no symptoms whatsoever and do not get the really (I wnt to smash my head against a wall ) migraines might be coincidence but somehow I dont think so, I will not touch the stuff with a barge pole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!0
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<yawn> More fearmongering. And what a ridiculous data(?) point - a woman who drank 2 LITERS of diet soda a day and never went to the dentist???? I'm sure her hygiene habits were impeccable as well. Great example.....of hyperbole.
Everything in moderation.0 -
Clinical study or source to verify?Don't care. I know how to use a toothbrush.
That won't prevent erosion. In fact, if you brush your teeth after drinking (diet) coke or something like orange juice, it will only worsen the erosion. Best is to drink a glass of milk or water after drinking something like diet coke, so the neutral pH of water/milk wil cancel out the cancel out the bad effects from coke.
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I hate this thread so much I just got up and cracked open a Coke Zero.“Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener made primarily of two amino acids: aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Aspartame has been shown to be safe for everyone, including children and pregnant women. When used in foods and beverages a warning on the labels is provided to people who can’t metabolize aspartame.” — Coca-Cola Co.
Science weighs in: “There are many conflicting studies on the safety of aspartame, says Caspero. Animal studies show more of an increase in cancer risk than human studies have. But there is definitely enough of a connection to avoid or limit your exposure to the additive, she explains.
Phosphoric Acid
“Phosphoric acid is used in certain soft drinks, including Coca-Cola, to add tartness to the beverage. Phosphoric acid contains phosphorus, one of the basic elements of nature and an essential nutrient. Phosphorus is a major component of bones.” — Coca-Cola Co.
Science weighs in: The acid in this ingredient is what erodes tooth enamel, Caspero says.
Additional research has also linked excessive exposure to additional adverse health issues. For example, according to a study in the journal Epidemiology, drinking two or more colas a day—diet or regular—was associated with a twofold risk of developing kidney disease. The culprit? The researchers indicated that although an exact cause is unknown, the phosphoric acid in colas has been associated with urinary changes that promote kidney stones. (When left untreated, they can lead to chronic kidney disease).0 -
OH NOZ, JUST LIKE METH!!!!
*patiently waits for super criminals hopped up on Diet Coke to start cleaning out convenience stores and eating faces*0 -
OH NOZ, JUST LIKE METH!!!!
*patiently waits for super criminals hopped up on Diet Coke to start cleaning out convenience stores and eating faces*
I agree the article does blow things out of proportion, but I guess my point is this; instead of just looking at the calorie count, study what you are putting into your body.0 -
OH NOZ, JUST LIKE METH!!!!
*patiently waits for super criminals hopped up on Diet Coke to start cleaning out convenience stores and eating faces*
I agree the article does blow things out of proportion, but I guess my point is this; instead of just looking at the calorie count, study what you are putting into your body.
Well why didn't you just say that instead of shredding your credibility with this inane 'study'?0 -
what a revelation ...diet coke??? who knew;)0
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OH NOZ, JUST LIKE METH!!!!
*patiently waits for super criminals hopped up on Diet Coke to start cleaning out convenience stores and eating faces*
I agree the article does blow things out of proportion, but I guess my point is this; instead of just looking at the calorie count, study what you are putting into your body.
Well why didn't you just say that instead of shredding your credibility with this inane 'study'?
It's still a interesting article, and internet credibility?!? You're joking right?0 -
Diet drinks are pure poison,aspartame,google that,more to worry about than teeth enamel!0
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Diet drinks are pure poison,aspartame,google that,more to worry about than teeth enamel!
Finally a person with some common sense.0
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