Top 5 Drinks that Cause Tooth Decay

Did you know a single 12-ounce can of soda contains over 9 teaspoons of sugar? That’s already slightly over the recommended daily limit for men – and a whole 3 teaspoons over for women. Add inn the acid content and you have a recipe for disaster when it comes to your teeth. Acids from soft drinks and fruit juices launch an immediate acid attack on your tooth enamel lasting about 20 minutes per exposure. Every time you sip, another acid attack begins.

Sugar causes tooth decay by providing food for acid-producing bacteria that live in the mouth. After eating sugar, bacteria begin feeding and forming acid very quickly.

If your teeth could make a list of the five most unwanted drinks, it would look something like this.

Kombucha

This trendy, exotic-sounding beverage has become popular recently because it’s high in probiotics. An acidic, bubbly, fermented product made from tea, kombucha’s possible health benefits are outweighed by its damaging effects on the teeth. Sugar-free yogurt and kefir are great alternative sources of probiotics without the risk to your teeth.

Mimosas

Made with bubbly champagne and orange juice, this brunch and wedding favorite is triple trouble; it’s bubbly, sugary, and acidic. Worse, the drink is usually sipped slowly, exposing teeth to danger for a prolonged period. Alcohol can cause dry mouth in higher amounts in some people. Saliva is one of the mouth’s defenses against cavities, meaning you can be at even greater risk of damage.

Energy Drinks

Laden with sugar and acid, these drinks will lead you straight into a cavity. There are many reasons to avoid these, and your oral health is just one of them.

Fruit Juice

Juice is high in sugar, acids, and calories. Acids in juices are far more concentrated than what you would get by eating whole fruit. Consider watering down your fruit juices to cut the sugar, acids, and calories.

Fruit Punch

These drinks are typically nothing more than high fructose corn syrup, water, and flavorings – and are also high in acids. Try to avoid these altogether.

The Best Beverages for your Teeth

Water

Notwithstanding the taste, tap water likely contains more fluoride than bottled water. Fluoride protects teeth by helping to remineralize them and also by inhibiting bacterial growth.

Plain Green or White Tea

Unsweetened white and green tea contains lots of antioxidants, which help fight bacteria and inflammation that may lead to gum disease. White tea is also an excellent source of natural fluoride.

Milk

Loaded with calcium and vitamins, milk is great for your teeth. The calcium and phosphorus in milk provide the minerals teeth need to stay strong. Milk even contains a decay-fighting protein called casein. If you can’t drink dairy milk, unsweetened plant milks like almond are another healthy option.

Schedule an Appointment

Here at Beauty and the Teeth, we offer comprehensive dental services in the Fort Lauderdale area. Our premier doctors, Dr. Diana Tadros and Dr. Bruce Holz, follow only the highest standards in modern dental care, including digital, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your appointment with us by calling or filling out our online form.