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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. Sad

OP posts:
EnidButton · 04/01/2019 17:25

Thing is it's fine

Thing is, it's done now.

Sorry. I swear my phone hates me some days.

StealthPolarBear · 04/01/2019 17:28

Tha k you op. I have a diet coke habit. I also get palpitations (rarely) but never thouhht they were linked. Your story has terrified me. I was stopping on the way home from work to get some but I won't now.
I have to have fizzy water though. It has to be fizzy.

MyKingdomforaNameChange · 04/01/2019 17:28

I use the Oral B Gum and Enamel Repair, not sure how much good it does but may be worth a try!

Good luck :)

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Dental health
GenerationSnowflake · 04/01/2019 17:35

Thanks for the reminder OP.

I drink full fat coke - not sure why we don't call it full sugar instead, and it would be pretty impossible to stop, I am doomed! I don't drink it everyday, but it's the only thing that helps me through sick bugs, migraines, flu, and just any time I am ill enough to feel sorry for myself. I don't know if it's all a placebo, but coke is amazing, makes me feel human again when I am not well.

If I end up toothless it's a worry Shock

waterplease · 04/01/2019 17:36

How much are you drinking per day out of interest? My teeth are fine, I use an electric toothbrush and good toothpaste, I usually drink a few 500ml bottles of Diet Coke/Pepsi a week.

Helps curb sugar cravings for me! X

waterplease · 04/01/2019 17:38

Wow just read, 8L a week?? That's not goodShock can you taper it down to maybe 2 330ml cans a day to start? I feel like if you go cold turkey you'll really not be able to do it and might go back to drinking loads.

LuckyLou7 · 04/01/2019 17:40

Drink through a straw then the fizz has no contact with your teeth.

NothingOnTellyAgain · 04/01/2019 17:45

lol no coke is not the same acidity as battery acid

that is a fairly dangerous piece of misinformation to put about!

OP I feel your pain I have drunk too much coke for too many years and my front teeth are fairly see-through. Not sure there's much you can do about it apart from stop Sad

NothingOnTellyAgain · 04/01/2019 17:46

I was getting through about 2-3l per day all through my teens 20s and early 30s

Gave up for a few years but now back on it

thethoughtfox · 04/01/2019 17:48

Try using a straw while you wean yourself off?

Booksandpens · 04/01/2019 17:49

I drink more full fat coke than water, so my New Years resolution is to stop drinking it full stop. I'm already getting cravings, but I'm trying to drink water instead. I keep having kidney pains when I drink rum and coke, but I don't know if it's the alcohol or the coke or both, so I've decided to stop alcohol during the week too. Now if I could sort out my all day snacking I might actually manage to lose weight this year.

WrongKindOfFace · 04/01/2019 17:57

I used to drink a lot of Diet Coke and Coke Zero.After a couple of weeks you’ll find it tastes really odd and fake when you try it. I still have the odd one as a pick me up, but I don’t enjoy it these days.

youngmammy · 04/01/2019 17:58

Could you not try drinking through a straw to minimise contact with the teeth xx

Forever21 · 04/01/2019 17:59

How long and often have you been drinking it? Did you use a straw?
I'm a trainee dentist so I may be able to offer advice Smile

ShortandSweet96 · 04/01/2019 18:03

Sugar is a minute part of the problem, it's acid people don't think about, then this happens.
It is irreversible OP. There are toothpastes you can get to help with the sensitivity now the enamel has worn away so much.
Maybe if there is damage already your dentist could suggest veneers? Or composite veneers as a cheaper alternative.

Hope you get it sorted OP! Flowers

Original poster
Magicpaintbrush · 04/01/2019 18:13

I have heard that using a straw can delay the effects but that over time the results will still be the same - not sure if that's correct? But having realised I have caused damage and having seen it with my own eyes I can't justify drinking it anymore, I've come to the end with it. I know you can get veneers, (though apparently that only masks the damage and doesn't repair it), or bonding, but I could never afford treatments like that, I am on my arse skint. The most sensible thing to do is go cold turkey and quit, and try to take better care of my teeth going forward. The ironic thing is that in terms of brushing and oral hygiene I am really fastidious and careful, I brush very carefully three times a day etc.

OP posts:
ShortandSweet96 · 04/01/2019 18:27

Yes, the best thing you can do is be careful for here on out.
Some tips:
Brush before breakfast not after - after eating anything the PH in your mouth turns acidic, so when you brush your teeth your causing more abrasion.

When you eat or drink anything with a high acidity or sugar, so I water afterwards, or eat a square of cheese, cheese reverses the acid PH in your mouth.

Use an electric toothbrush - it's easy to 'scrub' your teeth with a manual toothbrush, causes more abrasion on your enamel.

Have regular check ups with both dentist and hygienist.

Original poster
Magicpaintbrush · 04/01/2019 18:28

All good advice - bring on the cheese!

OP posts:
catlovingdoctor · 04/01/2019 18:30

I have bad acid erosion too; but more from wine than fizzy drinks. I use a toothpaste called Regenerate- maybe look into getting some of that?

Reallybadidea · 04/01/2019 18:42

@MrsSpenserGregson

Yeah, that'll be the caffeine causing those symptoms, not aspartame. And no, aspartame isn't banned in any US states.

VanGoghsDog · 04/01/2019 19:33

@Magicpaintbrush

I know it's not just the caffeine but I was trying to be helpful after you said you would be groggy from lack of caffeine.

OrcinusOrca · 04/01/2019 20:00

I love Coke but I drink it via a straw so it has limited contact on my teeth.

I use sensodyne pronamel quite frequently and I don't rinse my mouth with water after brushing my teeth. My DM is a dental professional and discourages fizzy stuff and juice, nightmare that you can't reverse the damage though.

ReaganSomerset · 04/01/2019 21:06

I hope the straw advocates are using biodegradable paper straws!

TitsNnails · 05/01/2019 00:46

I used to be seriously addicted to diet coke. 2ltrs a day. Had to be the 500ml bottles as there was something satisfying about opening one up fresh from the fridge and chugging it.
I used to get spots, irratable bladder, all-sorts. Gave it up cold turkey one day and it took 2 years for the cravings to fully stop. Tried it recently and it tasted awful!

See if the dentist can prescribe a high fluoride toothpaste perhaps. Might help.

I fancy one now, even though I know it tastes rank!

LuckyLou7 · 05/01/2019 10:44

I hope the straw advocates are using biodegradable paper straws

I have reusable glass straws. No unnecessary throwaway plastic in this house.

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