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Originally Posted by SecretMethod70
*bump* 
popo, looks like you're still around, so I'll ask here...I think I may have receded gumsfrom brushing too hard (pretty sure of it actually)...is there anything less brutal than what was described in post #39 to address this problem? Cause that solution creeps the hell outta me, especially after a quick google search into the surgery. 
Oh, and for someone who just can't give up the wonderful fizzy flavor of pop (1, because it tastes good; 2, because it's the cheapest flavored drink available and I'm a poor college student; and 3, because I swear I have an oral fixation because I seem to have a constant need to be drinking something), what would you recommend to be a reasonable amount per day? As it stands, I drink in excess of 40oz on most days but worry about the negative impact this could have and likely is having on my teeth. |
First, I appologize for length but for all you serious soda drinkers......
I can give you personal experience. For the past 10 years or so I have at least drank a case of soda a day and probably at least 2 liters a day for 5 - 10 years before that. It was easy to drink while I drove, or wanted something inexpensive (since I have never been much of an alcohol drinker) and for some reason I needed the oral fix (much like my smoking).
I was fine with my teeth until about 4-5 years ago. I started to notice small decay along the gumlines of my front teeth but I hadn't been to a dentist since I was in the Navy in 1990, so I was scared and ignored it and continued to drink massive amounts of soda (although I changed from sugar to diet and from Mt. Dew to caffeine free). The reason for the caffeine free was I read caffeine (especially as much as I was drinking depletes your body of calcium real fast.... I figured that would stop the decay.)
I have had 2 abcessed teeth removed in the last 3 years and have one molar in severe breakage. Both times, the dentist (different dentists) claimed my teeth were fixable and showed signs of strength but the soda was eroding them fast. Today, I know the soda is destroying my mouth but I cannot stop, and have allowed the soda to destroy my teeth and gums. The gums have gotten so raw from the soda that I have to brush very very softly. I can constantly taste blood from my gums. My teeth are so bad now that I am in constant pain throughout my jaw, neck, ears and sinuses.
I am so scared now to see a dentist that I suffer through the pain and the toothaches are so bad that not even Anebesol helps.... The pain gets especially bad at night, but is there constantly. And even though I know a visit to the dentist and doing away with soda will take care of the pain, I am 1) scared to death of the expense 2) scared of the pain of a dentist (which would be temporary and small compared to the pain I suffer now and 3) finding a caring dentist that won't lecture me but will help me.
I know it sounds hypocritical or a "won't happen to me because he was far more extreme in his soda drinking than I am" but ease up now before you end up like I have. There is no doubt in my mind soda is every bit of as addicting as any drug, at least for me. I have been able to kick most of my other addictions but soda and smoking.... both of which destroy my teeth.
The smoke traps the soda's acid onto the teeth........ Also, according to reports I have read is never brush your teeth after drinking a soda, you should wait at least an hour afterward as the toothpaste actually will trap the acids onto your teeth and rot them faster. Sugar or Diet doesn't matter the acid is what destroys the teeth.
Again I am being hypocritical as I am always, ALWAYS with a soda in hand and brush 2 times a day and I usually had a soda right before (at least within the hour, and I have a soda almost right afterward.... I take 6 24 oz bottles (= to a 12 pack of cans) to work with me everyday.... first thing I do when I wake up is reach for a soda and last thing I do at the end of my day before I try to sleep is drink soda.