Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-k, or sucralose are
commonly used in diet and no-calorie sodas and other refreshments. These have
risen in popularity because, with a zero-calorie count, they easily fit in the
daily macros for any diet while keeping your sweet tooth at bay.
These “Free/No Calorie” Sweeteners may seem ideal, but there are some downsides:
Aspartame is suspected of causing neurological
and neuropsychiatric issues including depression, insomnia, headaches, and even
convulsions as well as causing cancer.
Saccharin – can throw off can cause an imbalance
in your gut microbes. It can cause diabetes and obesity and in rare cases, even
cancer.
Acesulfame-k – contains the
carcinogen methylene chloride. According to studies, headaches, depression, nausea,
mental confusion, liver effects, kidney effects, visual disturbances, and cancer can all result from long-term exposure to methylene
chloride.
Sucralose – Has been shown to increase
inflammation and lead to problems like obesity and diabetes.
One very rarely studied side effect, is that they all can cause plaque-like to build up rapidly on your teeth which if not brushed, flossed, and dental picked off.
You can notice a tooth build-up beginning within just a week of beginning to drink diet sodas!
This contradicts what nearly every main stream scientific study has come out and said publicly. Which is that “artificial sweeteners do not contribute to tooth decay”.
What they do cause is a sticky build-up that hardens on the teeth. Unlike plaque it is not made of bacteria. It is chemical. It will not simply brush off and you do have to use a scraper to remove it. It is usually most evident in the lower bottom teeth on the backside towards your tongue.
Artificial sweeteners are highly acidic and can lead to tooth enamel erosion. Research has linked artificial sweeteners to dental erosion, meaning that they’re corrosive enough to actually wear away your teeth, similar to the effects of bruxism (tooth grinding at night).
If you choose to drink diet beverages… Know the risks. To help protect your smile, buy a dental pick, and a good magnifying mirror, and make sure to clean your teeth regularly between dental visits.
Sources:
Do
Artificial Sweeteners Cause Cavities? – Your Dental Health Resource
How the “Sugar Free” Fad Fails Your Oral Health – Indy Dental Group Blog
Let’s Not Sugarcoat It: Viewing Sweeteners from a Dental Perspective – Today’s RDH (todaysrdh.com)
*Disclaimer: As all writing, including my own, is subjective and skewed by the writers own beliefs and experiences – I consider all of my blogs “opinion pieces” and do not offer any medical advice. This blog is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any disease.
Sincerely,
Sarah
www.sarahbarendse.com
