{"id":233,"date":"2022-06-20T19:55:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T19:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kentuckysedationdentist.com\/blog\/?p=233"},"modified":"2022-07-20T19:58:10","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T19:58:10","slug":"popular-beverages-and-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kentuckysedationdentist.com\/blog\/2022\/06\/20\/popular-beverages-and-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Popular Drinks that Can Harm Your Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Sparkling<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Which beverage do you reach for when you need some refreshment? Most people enjoy sipping on things like soda, sparkling water, or juice. While there is nothing wrong with indulging in such drinks once in a while, if consuming them becomes a regular habit, they could pose a threat to your teeth. Let\u2019s discusses how these and other popular beverages may affect your oral health<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Diet Soda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s common knowledge that regular soda is bad for teeth, so many people opt for diet soda instead. Unfortunately, while diet pop is free of sugar, it is still quite acidic, meaning that it has the potential to erode your tooth enamel. Moreover, dark-colored diet soda, such as cola and root beer, can stain your teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sparkling Water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sparkling water can seem like a good alternative to soda. After all, it is calorie-free and sugar-free. Sadly, though, it is acidic enough to damage your smile. One study<\/a> found that it tends to have a pH of between 2.74 and 3.34, meaning that it has an even greater potential to erode tooth enamel than orange juice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sports Beverages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sports beverages contain electrolytes, so they can certainly help you stay hydrated. The problem with them is that many varieties contain high amounts of sugar. When sugar combines with bacteria in your mouth, plaque can form on your teeth and increase your risk of cavities. Also concerning is the fact that most sports drinks tend to be quite acidic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fruit Juice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just like regular sports drinks and soda, fruit juice contains both sugar and acids, so it can certainly pose a threat to your oral health. Plus, fruit juices tend to be concentrated, a fact that makes them worse for your teeth than simply eating whole fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some fruit juices are worse than others for teeth. Cranberry juice tends to be the most acidic, with a pH of 2.3 \u2013 2.5. Apple juice is significantly less acidic, with an average pH of 3.34 \u2013 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweetened Coffee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Black coffee is slightly acidic, but as long as you drink it in moderation, it should not cause any significant damage to your teeth. Sugary coffee drinks, on the other hand, are a different story. Many flavored creamers and syrups have an incredibly high sugar content and should be avoided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Drinks Are Safe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Plain water and most types of milk are safe and beneficial for teeth. Other beverages that pose little to no risk to your smile include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n