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Dentist have known and preached for years the damage carbonated soda drinks can do to your teeth, but new research has shown that other drinks thought to be better (fruit juices, tea, and energy drinks) can also harm your teeth.

The constant exposure from acidic drinks strips the hard, protective layer of tooth enamel and could dissolve the entire tooth over time. The wearing away of enamel can lead to hypersensitivity, discoloration, and cracks on the teeth. Serious cases require crowns or even dentures for teeth that have disintegrated.

A study published this year in the Journal of Dentistry showed that lemon, orange, and grapefruit juices can strip away enamel with their acidity. Orange juice was found to decrease enamel hardness by 84 percent.

According to a study published in General Dentistry by Dr. Mohamed Bassiouny, a restorative dentistry professor at Temple University, lemon juice showed the highest erosion potential.
Researchers at the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry found that energy drinks and sports drinks, such as Gatorade and Red Bull, erode the enamel more than soda and fruit juices.

Even some types of tea have shown to cause erosion of the tooth surface because of their low pH. On the other hand, certain types of tea can actually stabilize the amount of tooth loss or demineralization of the tooth surface.

Helpful tips to avoid tooth erosion:
• Use a straw to avoid the teeth immersion in liquid
• Rinse mouth with water after drinking acidic beverages
• Drink the acidic beverage at once, instead of sipping it all day
• Substitute acidic beverages with water
• Do not brush teeth for 30-60 minutes after drinking

Table of sample pH levels: