Dr. Dante Devoti explains why this can cause harm:
“Tooth enamel is the hardest mineralized substance in your body. But prolonged exposure to acids, especially acidic liquids, causes teeth to demineralize, that is, erode.”
Worst drink for teeth
Saliva can help reduce acidity, but the process doesn’t go as fast when you regularly sip the same drink. According to the dentist, it takes up to an hour to neutralize the pH levels in the mouth to the “protective range”.
Soda is the worst culprit in this regard, and the sugar also acts as a food source for harmful bacteria.
Dr. Devoti, who is an assistant professor of dentistry, said: “When there are repetitive, long-term exposures, almost all foods and drinks can be considered harmful to the teeth,” he adds:
“Good oral hygiene values go beyond brushing and flossing, and are about recognizing how eating and drinking habits, such as frequent snacking or sipping drinks during the day, can have just as much of an impact on the health of our teeth.”
It is estimated that around half of people aged four to 18 in the UK have some form of tooth erosion, and around 75 per cent of Britons do not have a full set of white teeth. In the United States, about 46 percent of young people have signs of tooth erosion.
