Double Trouble for Teeth

It’s not just sugar that’s bad for teeth. The acids included in many popular drinks are said to “eat” away enamel and make teeth more prone to cavities. The pH of regular and diet sodas ranges from 2.47-3.35. The pH in our mouth is normally about 6.2 to 7.0 slightly more acidic than water. At a pH of 5.2 to 5.5 or below the acid begins to dissolve the hard enamel of our teeth. Phosphoric and citric acids contribute to the acidity of soda. Below is a look at how some soda compare to water as well as to battery acid.

HOW MUCH ARE YOU REALLY DRINKING?
How much Sugar is in your drink? / How much Acid is in your drink?
DRINK / SUGAR tsp / Drink / Acid (Low=Bad) / Sugar-12oz
McDonald's Triple Thick Choc. Shake / 21 / Pure Water / 7 (neutral) / 0.0 tsp
Cola (regular) / 17 / Barg's Root Beer / 4.61 / 10.7 tsp
Rockstar Energy Drink / 16 / Diet Coke / 3.39 / 0.0 tsp
Sunny Delight / 15 / Mountain Dew / 3.22 / 11.0 tsp
Wendy's Vanilla Frosty (medium) / 14 / Gatorade / 2.95 / 3.3 tsp
Snapple Lemonade Iced Tea / 14 / Coke Classic / 2.63 / 9.3 tsp
Orange Slice Soda / 13 / Pepsi / 2.49 / 9.8 tsp
Starbucks Grande Mocha Frappacino / 12 / Sprite / 3.42 / 9.0 tsp
Welche's Grape Juice / 10 / Diet 7-Up / 3.67 / 0.0 tsp
Capri Sun Fruit Drink (big pouch) / 10 / Diet Dr. Pepper / 3.41 / 0.0 tsp
Gatorade / 9 / Surge / 3.02 / 10.0 tsp
Vitamin Water / 8 / Hawaiian Fruit Punch / 2.82 / 10.2 tsp
Kool-Aid (1 scoop dry mix & 16oz water) / 8 / Orange Minute Maid / 2.8 / 11.2 tsp
Bubble/Boba Tea / 7 / Dr. Pepper / 2.92 / 9.5 tsp
Red Bull Energy Drink / 7 / BATTERY ACID / 1 / 0.0 tsp
*Source: Minnesota Dental Association*
*The threshold pH for enamel dissolution is 5.5

The average American today drinks over 600 servings of soda and sports drinks per year. Regular soda provides between 150-180 calories per 12oz can. Current dietary recommendations for added simple sugar are 10% of total energy. Soda is potentially cavity causing due to its high sugar content. The acid in regular and diet soda has the potential to contribute to enamel breakdown and when combined with sugar can contribute to rampant decay. The higher acidity levels combined with the sugar content accelerate the enamel breakdown even more.

**Unless your child is doing 2 hours or more (nonstop) vigorous workouts WATER is all they need to stay hydrated. An exception to this is if your child has been advised by their pediatrician. A safe alternative is O Water; there is no sugar or acid. They also have different flavors or plain available.