I ignored the warnings about diet coke...

[Magicpaintbrush]

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.

My DH used to drink several cans of Diet Coke each day until we realised that the aspartame (sp?) in them was causing him palpitations, dizziness and fainting spells. I believe that in some US states aspartame is actually not licensed for human consumption. Anyway, he just went cold turkey. It was hard for the first few days but he managed it, and hasn't had a Diet Coke (or any other carbonated drink other than naturally carbonated mineral water) for several years now.

What he found useful was switching initially to something like blackcurrant cordial with naturally carbonated water, and then gradually cutting back on that. Might be helpful for you OP?

AnchorDown - actually it really does help to hear that you had a big addiction and managed to stop. I totally agree that going cold turkey is probably the best way to do it. If I only cut down I know I will never stop. I just had a moment of clarity today and tipped the lot down the sink because I knew the only way to stop myself reaching for the diet coke was to not have it in the house in the first place.

Not far off. Battery acid 1; fizzy drinks 2.5.

@HeffalumpsDaughter here is the thread, and exact post attached

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/AMA/3299002-I-m-a-dental-hygienist-go-on-then-ask-away?pg=3&order=

Your body doesn't normally crave things that are bad for it; its because you've exposed it to an addictive substance.

It doesn't matter that there is no sugar, the sugar isn't in your mouth long enough o don the damage. All fizzy drinks are highly acidic so it's the acid that erodes the enamel. I drink the odd full fat coke, prefer to have the sugar and only drink it occasionally.

I dread to think what my SiL teeth are like as she's a diet coke addict as well.

You’re right there’s not many numbers between 1 and 2.5 but it’s an awful lot in terms of acidity. The difference between drinking fruit juice and drinking something so acidic it could kill you. Battery acid for instance.

Please try and give up if you can, not just for your teeth.

Diet Coke is a chemical shit storm and really, really bad for your insides. Good luck.

Sensodyne pro enamel worth a try.
Best thing stop the cause so cut acidic drinks/ fruits etc, so you’re doing the right thing.

I have an addiction too, I have given it up a number of times but just one can...and I am back. There is nothing as refreshing, it is so addictive.
Please can anyone link to anymore articles about how bad it is, I know I need to stop drinking it!

Not far off. Battery acid 1; fizzy drinks 2.5

pH is a logarithmic scale. There is a huge difference in acidity between 2.5 and 1.

It’s so bloody addictive! I’ve had to go ‘cold turkey’ off it.

I use one of those ProEnamel toothpastes - either sensodyne (which you don't like) or Colgate.

The sweeteners in it are also bad for your kidneys. I was an addict as a child/teen, but haven't had fizzy drinks for years. I can occasionally have one, but just don't like them much any more, so never drink more than half my glass. Good luck. x

@Karmagoat, I used to get really bad acid reflux as well and its stopped more or less since I gave up fizzy pop and all pastry.
Just stop drinking it and have water with a drop of cordial in it instead. Don't be having fruit juice as that's bad as well.Its very sugary and acidic.

My husband swapped from coke to sparkling water when he was craving that feeling of the bubbles (weird I guess) with a mouthful. It worked enough to stop the cravings.

Article on here suggesting sparkling water is similar in ph to still, or at least far better than other fizzy drinks:

www.bbc.com/future/story/20150911-is-sparkling-water-really-bad-for-you

If you want an occasional hit of fizz and a bit of sweetness I drink Purdey's Elixir. Not to the quantities you do! Has no added sugar.

Or Cawston apple and rhubarb juice. Pret A Manger do a great ginger beer (no alcohol or sugar).

And chilled fizzy mineral water can be very refreshing on its own.

Snap hamster!

I gave up all fizzy drinks for Lent about 10 years ago. I wasn't having dental problems but I'm glad I did it.
Hope you can find some help with preserving whats left of your enamel OP.

Umm...use a straw?

Is tonic water better for teeth, because quinine is alkaline, so neutralises the acid of the fizz?

That's important to know clara for gin purposes

Tonic water is still very acidic, it contains hardly any quinine in

I did some damage by chugging pineapple juice like it was going out of fashion whilst at uni. Not fizzy, juice plain juice.

I had to have a tooth capped and the dentist said it was the fruit juice. I had about 3-4 litres of it a week.

Thing is it's fine now so you just have to learn from it and move forward. Sounds like you're taken positive steps to prevent further damage. I doubt it's noticeable to anyone else btw.

*just plain juice