We have all heard that drinking beverages with acids in them can damage our teeth. We are familiar with the anecdotes of Coca-Cola cleaning the rust off of coins, but yet they are a multi billion dollar industry that is continuing to grow. Adding citrus acids and the like to our beverages makes them more tasty and gives them a longer shelf life. While products like Coke are well known for being acidic, many others perceived as innocuous are actually quite harmful.
Any beverage that has a pH of less than 4.0 can cause the erosion of your protective layer of enamel. Once your enamel is eroded it will never grow back and with repeated attacks, the damage can be catastrophic. For children, it can be even more of a concern as the enamel layer on primary (baby) teeth is much thinner than adult teeth. This erosion makes you more prone to decay, sensitivity and tooth loss. Decay on primary teeth is especially concerning as it sets the precedent for future oral health. Primary teeth are present in the mouth along with erupting adult teeth. This leaves the ability to spread decay onto their adult teeth.
So, what’s in your cup? Is it damaging your pearly white teeth? You may be surprised!
Why don’t you try your hand at it! Rank these popular drinks in order of most acidic to least acidic.
1) Arizona Ice Tea
2) Diet Coke
3) Starbucks Medium Roast Coffee
4) Bug Juice Fruity Punch
5) Rockstar Energy Drink
Here’s the answers!
Most acidic
1) Rockstar Energy Drink pH 2.74
2) Arizona Ice Tea pH 2.85
3) Bug Juice Fruity Punch pH 3.09
4) Diet Coke pH 3.10
5) Starbucks Medium Roast Coffee pH 5.11
Least Acidic
How did you do? Would you have guessed that the Bug Juice your giving your toddler is slightly more acidic than Diet Coke?
If you’d like to know just how your favorite beverage ranks, check out this list:
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