As a family dentistry office in Redmond, we stay regularly updated of news stories and scientific studies that relate to oral health and health in general. We have been studying caffeinated drinks and the negative impact they have on the teeth for some time. You may remember that the acidity in soda is closer to battery acid than water. Simply drinking a glass of soda a day can cause serious damage to your teeth as the enamel gets eroded. Since enamel serves to protect your teeth against damage and decay, your drinking habits can have significant health consequences. Now, there are even more reasons to avoid drinking soda.

A recent story in the Japan Times caught our attention. Last year, a Kyushu man in his twenties died from caffeine intoxication. For anyone who lives on caffeinated soda or coffee, this is an important story to take notice of. Researchers at Fukuoka University believe that he consumed a lot of caffeinated drinks over a period of time in order to fight fatigue. He was drinking an unknown brand of energy drinks in order to stay awake for his job as a gas station attendant. Apparently, he was working the midnight to dawn shift, would stay awake after work, and then sleep in the evening until it was time to work again. To make this possible, he regularly drank soda and energy drinks.

The Food Safety Commission, a branch of the Japanese Cabinet Office, has issued guidelines for caffeine intake. They believe that an adult who is in otherwise good health should only consume three cups of coffee per day (ideally less). While it is unclear how many energy drinks or sodas the man had to drink, his death was accidental from what everyone can tell. It was an innocent case of a caffeine overdose.

Warning Signs: Vomiting and Shaking

As a family dentistry office, we want to encourage you to limit your caffeine and soda intake. This is important for your overall health, and as this case has shown, it could even be important for your future and longevity. You should also be sure to avoid any alcoholic beverages that contain caffeine, as those have been linked to deaths in the United States.

The best thing you can do is to increase your intake of water. The more water you drink, the healthier you will be. Water is key for purifying your body and keeping things running smoothly. It is also good for your teeth because water keeps your mouth moist and prevents food particles from remaining on your teeth, decreasing the risk of plaque forming. As a result, people who drink water over juice or soda tend to have fewer cavities and stronger teeth in general.

If you know anyone who is drinking large quantities of caffeine, share this blog post with them so they can be warned and begin making healthier choices. As a family dentistry office, we will continue to provide you with information on how to become healthier. In the meantime, if you have any questions, give our Redmond dental office a call and schedule a consultation.o