Popular soda more of a dental trick than a treat
An erosion of the enamel, caused by large amounts of citric acid and sugar, has led to tooth decay and a syndrome known as “Mountain Dew Mouth.” (Photo courtesy of Dr. James B. Geshay, Jr.)
Geshay
In 1932, brothers Barney and Ally Hartman crafted a lemon-lime flavored soda in Knoxville, Tennessee, according to Doug Mason for Knoxnews.
The soda was originally intended to be used a chaser for whiskey. Because of this use, the brothers decided to call it “Mountain Dew” to give a hint at the drink’s purpose.
Today, the neon yellowish-green liquid has grown into its own empire including energy drinks, a variety of flavors and has become the drink of choice for gamers.
With studies conducted over many years over the connection between the fizzy drink and Appalachian communities, Mountain Dew has been doing more than just “tickling yor innards” like the original slogan stated.
In addition to diabetes and obesity, Mountain Dew has been allegedly wrecking havoc on the teeth of both children and adults.
“‘Mountain Dew Mouth’ is a term penned by dentists in reference to a type of tooth decay resulting from drinking excessive amounts of acidic-sugary soda. Mountain Dew Mouth is particularly prevalent in poorer areas of the country, especially Appalachia, where the number of cases of Mountain Dew soda ingested per person, per year is incredible,” explained Dr. James B. Geshay Jr., a pediatric dental specialist in Uniontown at Geshay Pediatric Dentistry. “In Pennsylvania, between 1-1.9 cases of Mountain Dew are sold per person per year, while West Virginia drinks 3-3.9 cases and Kentucky drinks 4-4.9 cases for every man, woman and child.”
While all sodas can contribute to tooth decay, Mountain Dew leads the way, according to Geshay.
“Mountain Dew is considered the worst offender because it has the highest concentration of sugar and caffeine as well as a considerable amount of citric acid,” explained Geshay. “A 20-ounce bottle of the ‘Green Monster’ (Mountain Dew) contains 91 mg of caffeine, 77 mg of sugar, 77 mg of carbohydrates and equals 290 calories, thanks to the nearly 19.25 teaspoons of sugar per 20 ounce serving.
Despite the nutrition information, one of the reasons “the dew” has become so popular in the Appalachian community comes down to dollars and cents.
“In some areas, due to Mountain Dew’s relatively low cost, it has developed a cult-like following. Soda is cheaper than milk and it doesn’t go bad,” said Geshay. “Pepsi-Cola company markets Mountain Dew as ‘Game Fuel,’ appealing to the millions of electronic gamers who sip Mountain Dew for hours each day as they play the latest version of ‘Call of Duty.'”
The danger begins when the soda has started to weaken the enamel, the outer area of the tooth. The tooth then becomes thinner and the teeth, especially around the edges, start to appear almost translucent. Eventually everything is worn away and the dentin layer is exposed, and all protection against decay is gone.
According to Geshay, the early signs of enamel erosion are, “The smooth and flat facets (angles) appear on non-chewing surface of teeth, rounding of cusps with deep cupping lesions with exposed dentin and gum-line defects or cavities on incisors.”
Just like with all the sugar that will be collected this evening as children go trick-or-treating, there is a way to prevent “Mountain Dew Mouth.”
“The easiest thing to do is to stop drinking soda! Soda provides no nutrition or substance for the human body and the negative effects greatly outweigh the positive benefits — which are none,” said Geshay. “It is important to brush at least twice each day, floss at bedtime and use a fluoride rinse. Regular six-month preventative care visits to the dentist can help limit the effects of dental cavities and aid in the treatment of Mountain Dew Mouth.”