It's no secret that drinking too many sodas can be hazardous to your health. Numerous studies have linked soft drinks to obesity, diabetes and bone fractures.

If you need one more reason to cut back on your consumption of soft drinks, consider this: Recent research suggests that excessive intake can lead to a type of irreversible tooth damage known as dental erosion.

Dental erosion is the breakdown of the enamel and other hard tissues of the teeth, typically caused by the corrosive effect of acids. The condition is becoming increasingly common in the United States, thanks to a growing preference for acidic foods and beverages.

When consumed in excess, these acid-containing products can easily strip the enamel from teeth, leaving them thinner, more brittle and exquisitely sensitive to pain. As the dental enamel wears away, the underlying tissue, called dentin, becomes exposed, making teeth far more vulnerable to cavity-causing bacteria.

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center recently reported that adolescents are especially vulnerable to the condition. After conducting a study involving 900 middle-school students, they determined that nearly a third of youngsters between the ages of 10 to 14 suffered some degree of dental erosion.

Acid-containing soft drinks are a common culprit. Although artificially sweetened sodas may seem to be safe for teeth because they're sugar-free, even "diet" drinks aren't totally benign. Like sugar-sweetened sodas, carbonated diet drinks still contain phosphoric acid or citric acid, two ingredients that are well known for their ability to cause dental erosion.

Researchers at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine recently compared the corrosive effects of 20 commercial brands of soft drinks. After immersing freshly extracted teeth in samples of the beverages, they measured the subsequent enamel loss.

The results of the study demonstrated that non-cola beverages, including lemon-lime-flavored sodas and ginger ale, caused significantly greater enamel loss than colas and root beer. In similar studies comparing popular beverages, researchers have demonstrated the corrosive potential of sports drinks, energy drinks, lemonade, fruit juices and iced tea.

Liquids aren't the only substances capable of causing dental erosion — acidic foods can be just as hard on the teeth.

Pickles, citrus fruits and yogurt are acidic in nature, as are tart and tangy candies, chewing gums and breath mints.

Enamel-eroding acids can be found in some medications and nutritional supplements, including aspirin and vitamin C. Dental erosion can also be caused when stomach acids are introduced into the mouth by acid reflux or vomiting.

Normally, saliva dilutes and neutralizes acids and helps protects teeth from damage. But if acidic foods and beverages are consumed on a regular basis, the saliva is washed away, increasing the potential for dental erosion.

Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to protect and preserve your teeth. The smartest strategy might be to significantly curtail your consumption of acidic sodas, sports beverages and energy drinks.

If you feel that you must drink these beverages on occasion, be sure to drink them chilled, as cooler temperatures are less likely to promote dental erosion. Using a straw positioned at the back of your mouth is helpful, since it minimizes the amount of time that the acidic liquids are in contact with the teeth.

Acidic beverages are best consumed quickly, rather than sipped and savored. Holding them in your mouth before swallowing bathes the teeth with acid, increasing the likelihood of damage.

Although it might be tempting to brush your teeth immediately after consuming acidic foods or beverages, it's probably not a good idea. After exposure to acid, the dental enamel can become soft for a short period of time.

To avoid causing even greater damage to the weakened enamel, you should wait at least 20 minutes before brushing your teeth. While you're waiting, it's a good idea to swish water around in your mouth to wash away the acid, or chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva production.

If you're a hardcore soda drinker, you may suspect that you've already got some degree of tooth damage, but it's not always easy to tell. In its early stages, dental erosion is typically painless, and affected teeth may appear smooth and shiny.

Your dentist can diagnose the condition and make recommendations for treatment. In the meantime, drinking more water and fewer soft drinks is a smart strategy for protecting your teeth and improving your overall health.

Dr. Rallie McAllister is a board-certified family physician, speaker and the author of several books, including "Healthy Lunchbox: The Working Mom's Guide to Keeping You and Your Kids Trim." Her website is www.rallieonhealth.com. To find out more about Rallie McAllister, M.D., and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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