Strange Brews: Six Drinks that Cause Tooth Decay

Wondering if that beverage you sip on throughout the day is harmful on your teeth?

Probably not, if you’re like most people.

Many of us slurp down countless sodas, juices, coffees and teas without giving a second thought to the damage we might be doing to our teeth. With this in mind, we’ve created a list of the six most common beverages that can cause tooth decay.

But first off, here’s a formula to remember:

Acid + Sugar + Bacteria=Decay

The mouth is a breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria. No matter how much you brush or floss, bacteria will still be present inside your mouth. Not much you can do about that.

Problem is, bacteria loves sugar. It feeds on it. The more sugar we consume, the more bacteria we create. That’s issue number one.

Issue number two is acid. It erodes tooth enamel, the hard, protective layer on our teeth. When acid weakens enamel, all that bacteria feasts on teeth, causing cavities.

And what ingredients are most common in soft drinks? You guessed it, sugar and acid.

So here are the six drinks to avoid (or at least drink in moderation, we’re realists, after all.)

Citrus Juices (Lemonade, Limeade, Grapefruit Juice, Orange Juice)

Did your mom ever tell you not to eat lemons? Well, she had a point. Citrus fruits are loaded with acid, and most store-bought juices have a ton of sugar, to boot. It’s the perfect storm for tooth decay.

Sports Drinks

Contrary to what advertising tells you, sports drinks are not particularly good for your body, and really not good for your teeth. They are particularly high in sugar and contain all kinds of organic acids and additives. Same goes for that “Fitness Water” as well. So next time you finish a workout, grab a bottle of water to rehydrate instead.

Premixed Iced Tea

We’re talking canned or bottled store-bought iced tea here. Take a look at the nutritional label and you might go into sugar shock. Brew your own iced tea instead, and add artificial sweetener (go light) instead of sugar. Beware though; iced tea of any kind can stain teeth.

Energy Drinks

Over the past decade we’ve seen an influx of energy drinks hit the market. They each claim to give you that extra boost you need to get through the day thanks to their unique blend of vitamins and natural supplements. But do you know what really gives you that buzz? That’s right, caffeine and sugar. Lots of it.

Soda

High fructose corn syrup is a fancy word for sugar. Phosphoric acid is, well, acid. Every soda, clear or not, has both of these essential ingredients. Stay away whenever possible.

Wine
Studies show that red wine does have some overall health benefits, but these studies didn’t account for your teeth. Wine is highly acidic, and the fact that it’s usually sipped over long periods of time makes it really hard on your teeth.

While we’re on the subject of booze, by itself most alcohol is not that harmful—for your teeth. Beer, as an example has no sugar and a low acidic content. The problem arises with mixed drinks. Mixers like tonic water and margarita mix usually have more sugar and acid than any of the beverages listed above. Try club soda instead.

What about Diet Drinks?

There’s a “diet” option available for nearly every beverage we’ve named in this article. While most contain little, if any, sugar, they still will probably have the same amount of acid. So if you absolutely must have a soda or energy drink, opt for the diet version. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than the alternative.

In our next blog entry we will show you how you can minimize the effects of tooth erosion caused by everyday beverages. So stop by again soon!

Okay, your turn. What are you doing to try and cut back on sodas and juices in the New Year? Have any questions or comments for us? Suggestions for blog articles? Post them all below. We’d love to hear from you!