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Original poster

I ignored the warnings about diet coke...

77 replies

Magicpaintbrush · 04/01/2019 15:56

because until now I couldn't see the damage it was doing and so I carried on in denial, totally addicted - until today when I realised my teeth are starting to go translucent. Because I've eroded so much fucking enamel. I am such a fool. Irreversible damage that I could have avoided - when I press my tongue up against the back of my front teeth I can see it through them.

I have just poured 5 x 2litre bottles down the sink and I am really going to struggle, especially tomorrow morning, I am going to be completely miserable without my diet coke, but I cannot let this stuff do any more damage than it already has.

If there are any dentists reading this, I know I can't grow enamel back, but is there any toothpaste which can help to protect it going forward? Feel like such an idiot. My teeth used to be lovely - naturally white and straight, I have ruined them.

OP posts:

LadyWithLapdog · 04/01/2019 15:59

I’m not a dentist. There are toothpastes good for enamel, or so they claim. I use a night mouth guard as I grind my teeth and I’m hoping to prevent further damage.

hidinginthenightgarden · 04/01/2019 16:05

I am also addicted to Diet Coke. Not good!

JoyceDivision · 04/01/2019 16:10

There's a dental nurse / hygienist on the AMA threads so if you can find it they would be an ideal.person to ask about enamel!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Dental health

flameycakes · 04/01/2019 16:12

I've totally given up pop, though I do get a bit of fizz with sparkling spring water now and again, no doubt I'll have to get rid of that for some reason soon.

Original poster

Magicpaintbrush · 04/01/2019 16:24

I've just been googling enamel strengthening toothpastes but I'm wary because my gums react to brands like sensodyne so I'm not sure what to go with. But actually I just feel really glum about the damage I've already done that can never be undone. I'm so angry at myself. Now I'll be worrying whenever I eat acidic fruits etc because my teeth are now weak and therefore will be more prone to acid erosion than ever. I used to b proud of my teeth - I'm not anymore.

OP posts:

safetyfreak · 04/01/2019 16:26

Same here. Nothing can satisfy my thirst like fizzy drinks though. Trying to stick to 2 liters a week.

Whisky2014 · 04/01/2019 16:27

How is it diet coke that's done it? I thought it had no sugar in it?

bakingdemon · 04/01/2019 16:28

How much were you drinking?

Original poster

Magicpaintbrush · 04/01/2019 16:28

I think it's the combination of acids and the carbonation of the water, so the fizz and the acid work together to slowly nibble away at the surface of your teeth. I think fizzy water on it's own is okay but if you added any flavour to it you would get the same effect as diet coke.

I had to see the damage to wake up to it. Idiot.

OP posts:

Original poster

Magicpaintbrush · 04/01/2019 16:29

I was drinking 4 big bottles (2l) a week.

OP posts:

Theknacktoflying · 04/01/2019 16:29

It is the acid in diet coke ....fruit juice just as bad

Original poster

Magicpaintbrush · 04/01/2019 16:30

I don't drink (or like) coffee so it was my caffiene fix and woke me up in the mornings, made me feel alert instead of groggy. Now I will just be groggy with shit teeth. Brilliant.

OP posts:

Whisky2014 · 04/01/2019 16:31

Oh wow. Crazy. Well at least you are stopping now. Good luck

delboysskinandblister · 04/01/2019 16:36

i sympathise OP. All fizzy drinks including soda water and mineral water according to my dentist. I now have to use a prescription toothpaste that is much stronger than Sensodyne - no rinsing allowed.

VanGoghsDog · 04/01/2019 16:36

If you really can't wean yourself off caffeine, or change to coffee/tea/green tea, then take a caffeine tablet if you have to?

Original poster

Magicpaintbrush · 04/01/2019 16:37

I will definitely be stopping but I will really miss it and crave it. It's just ridiculous how the human body craves things that are bad for it.

All II will say is to anybody else who drinks masses of fizzy drinks, don't wait until it's too late and wreck your teeth. My dentist told me it would happen, and I listened but didn't want to hear it. It's amazing how actually seeing the damage with your own eyes suddenly makes it real. My teeth will be this way for the rest of my life now because I buried my head in the sand and didn't want to give my diet coke up.

OP posts:

ShirleyPhallus · 04/01/2019 16:38

The dentist who did the AMA said fizzy drinks, fruit juice etc had the same PH as battery acid

Bekabeech · 04/01/2019 16:39

The best toothpaste for teeth and guns is the Oral B one (ideally not Whitening) - my Dentist uses it (doesn't usually recommend but does this one, and we've been with him decades).

ravenscaw · 04/01/2019 16:40

Go cold turkey and never have another. My DB tried everything (after 4 root canals) and eventually quit but started again after 1 JD and coke on holiday. Just stop. Drink water and wait for the mania to pass.

Original poster

Magicpaintbrush · 04/01/2019 16:40

VanGoghsDog - it isn't just the caffiene though, it's the sweetness and the fizzyness, the whole caboodle. Only fizzy drinks will satisfy that. I just have to stop. And to be honest, maybe the caffeine isn't good for me anyway. I used to be addicted to red bull and then I weaned myself off that (because I was worried it was bad for me) on to diet coke, which I thought was better....

OP posts:

SheWoreBlueVelvet · 04/01/2019 16:41

Use a straw and water it down? Drink milk or eat yogurt afterwards?

I don’t know what can be done to replace enamel but everyone on telly has veneers now anyway. I’m sure something can be done.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 04/01/2019 16:43

I gave up Pepsi Max. I had a proper problem with it. I'd drink 30 - 40 cans a week; I barely drank anything else. I had tried to cut down before and always failed.

Two years ago, I just stopped. I didn't buy any when I was shopping, and I didn't buy any after. I didn't drink it at all for a year. Now I might have a can if it's the only thing on offer at a friends or if I'm having a drink that needs a mixer, but it's probably 3 - 4 cans a year, if that.

I don't know if this helps at all, but I thought I'd show that kicking the habit is possible. I didn't really have any obvious dental issues, but my dentist recommended Sensodyne which I still use.

HeffalumpsDaughter · 04/01/2019 16:43

Fruit juice and fizzy drinks don’t have the same ph as battery acid!

Ragaroo · 04/01/2019 16:46

Someone told me that drinking through a straw helps with this issue, as your minimising the contact of the pop with your teeth? So if you don't want to go cold turkey maybe you could reduce your intake and only drink coke/acidic drinks with straws and position the straw behind the teeth.

Karmagoat · 04/01/2019 16:46

another diet coke addict here, I think it has started to cause a lot of issues with my stomach too, I get terrible acid reflux a lot. Definitely going to try and not just cut down but cut it out completely

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