5 Drinks That Can Damage Your Enamel: The Hidden Dangers in Your Favourite Drinks

10 September 2024

5 Drinks That Can Damage Your Enamel: The Hidden Dangers in Your Favourite Drinks

We all know the importance of regular brushing and flossing to maintain a healthy smile but it also involves being mindful of what we eat and drink. Many people don’t realise that their favourite drinks could be damaging their tooth enamel, the hard outer layer that protects the teeth. This article discusses the drinks that can damage your enamel, how dental erosion occurs, and what you can do to help prevent enamel damage. So, let’s get started …

What is tooth enamel and why is it important?

Tooth enamel is the protective outer coat that safeguards the visible part of your tooth (the crown) from cavities and damage.

It’s important because it protects the dentine and pulp – the innermost layers of a tooth – from wear and tear, tooth decay, infection and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and sweets.

While enamel is the hardest substance in your body and therefore incredibly durable, it can still break down over time.

How does what I drink affect tooth enamel?

Acids, sugar and carbonation in soft drinks gradually weaken tooth enamel which leads to the growth of bacteria that contribute to tooth decay.

How tooth decay starts

The sugar content in soft and fizzy drinks mixes with the bacteria in the mouth to form acid which attacks the teeth. Each sip of your drink kickstarts a damaging response that lasts around 20 minutes. If you’re drinking sugary drinks all day, your teeth are under constant attack.

You may be surprised to learn that it’s not the sugar in drinks that causes damage to your tooth enamel, but rather the acidic waste by-product released by the bacteria once they have done feeding on the sugar.

Any damage to tooth enamel gives bacteria an open pass to the next layer, dentine. Over time, those who regularly consume sugary drinks will develop issues like tooth sensitivity, an increased risk of decay and cavities, and tooth discolouration.

Unfortunately, once tooth enamel has been damaged, it’s unable to regenerate and can’t be restored. In other words, once it’s gone, it’s gone!

So now you have a better understanding of the way acids can damage your tooth enamel, let’s look at some of the worst drinks that can damage your enamel.

The hidden dangers in 5 popular drinks

Could your favourite drinks be quietly damaging your enamel without you realising it? Let’s take a look and see.

1. Fizzy beverages and soft drinks

Soft drinks whether diet or regular, are notorious for their high acidity. The carbonation process that gives these drinks their fizz also makes them acidic. When you sip on a fizzy drink, the acid from the carbonation interacts with your tooth enamel, gradually wearing it away. Even “sugar-free” versions of soft drinks should be drunk with an element of caution because of their acidic content.

Cast your mind back to your science lessons in school when you might have learned about pH levels. The pH scale is how we measure levels of acidity and bases. A high pH (above 7.0) means more base is present whereas a low pH (below 7.0) indicates there is more acid present. According to researchers, an ideal environment for teeth is a pH of more than 4.0. Coca-Cola, for instance, has a pH level of around 2.5, making it highly acidic. Consistently consuming these beverages can lead to significant enamel erosion over time.

However, it’s not just sugary drinks that are bad for your teeth. Researchers at the Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) at the University of Melbourne, Australia, tested 23 sugar-free drinks, including soft drinks and sports drinks. They discovered that drinks containing acidic additives or having low pH levels can cause significant damage to tooth enamel, even without sugar.

2. Sports and energy drinks

Sports and energy drinks may well enhance your performance but they’re not doing your teeth any favours. These drinks are full of sugar, acid and caffeine, the latter of which can make the mouth dry. Typically, saliva helps dilate the acid from plaque formed when we eat or drink. But when your mouth is dry, the acid hangs around for longer increasing the risk of enamel damage and tooth decay.

3. Fruit juices

While many of us perceive fruit juice to be a healthy alternative to soft drinks, many of them are highly acidic. Citrus juices like orange and grapefruit contain high levels of citric acid, which can be harsh on your enamel. Even non-citrus juices such as apple juice tend to have high acidity.

One study found that frequent consumption of fruit juices increases the risk of dental erosion. In particular, orange juice reduced enamel hardness by as much as 84% due to its acidic content. This doesn’t mean you should avoid fruit juice altogether, but it’s wise to opt for healthier alternatives.

4. Wine and alcohol

Many of us enjoy the odd glass of wine with a meal but you might want to be cautious. Both red and white wine are acidic although white wine contains more acid than red. To spare your teeth, consider pairing it with some cheese to neutralise the acid and drink a glass of water to rinse your mouth.

5. Coffee and tea

Most of us like to start the day with a cup of coffee or tea but consuming too much during the day can weaken tooth enamel. Coffee is acidic and can increase the risk of enamel erosion. While tea tends to be less acidic than coffee, particularly green and black varieties, it still poses a threat to tooth enamel.

How to prevent damage to your enamel

While it’s unrealistic to eliminate all acidic beverages from your diet, there are several steps you can take to protect your enamel and maintain a healthy smile.

• Drink in moderation – Try limiting yourself to no more than one soft drink a day.
• Don’t sip – Rather than sipping your drink, try and down it faster to give bacteria less time to feast on the sugar and create cavities – although it’s probably best to avoid this tip when drinking alcoholic beverages like wine.
• Drink through a straw – Using a straw reduces the contact between acids and your teeth, helping minimise enamel erosion.
• Rinse with water – Rinse your mouth with water after consuming an acidic drink to wash away lingering sugars and neutralise acids.
• Wait before brushing – Brushing right after consuming acidic drinks can weaken your enamel further as it’s softened from the acids. Give your enamel about 30 minutes so it can re-harden before brushing your teeth.
• Visit your hygienist more often – Regular hygiene appointments help detect problems before they get worse.

Final thoughts

The most effective way to prevent damaging your tooth enamel is to be mindful of the drinks that can damage your tooth enamel and take preventive measures as outlined above if you are going to indulge. Finally, don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly. They can spot problems early before they escalate.

If you’d like to book a routine dental appointment, please contact Cheadle Hulme Dental & Cosmetic on 0161 486 0743 or use our online booking service. We’re here to support you and your smile.