Now that it’s getting warmer it’s even more important to stay hydrated! We would like to share with you acid levels of popular beverages and how it can damage your teeth. Not only does drinking high level acidic beverages cause damage but they can also cause damage to your digestive system. Even if it states sugar free a lot of times these beverages can also contribute weight gain.
Understanding the meaning of pH, this is the number that we measure liquid to determine if it’s acidic or basic. Any value below 7 is considered acidic and anything above 7 is basic with water being neutral at 7. Each increase in numerical value, the acid intensity increases 10 times! For example, if a lemon juice is a pH of 2 it ends up being 10 times more acidic than grapefruit juice at a pH of 3 and 100 times more acidic than tomato juice with a pH of 4. Each change in pH makes a dramatic difference!
Even though teeth are the strongest bones in our bodies, they can be damaged by what we drink. Excess intake of acidic beverages can wear down tooth enamel and cause tooth decay. Most of our favorite beverages are highly acidic. We are not asking you to give up everything you drink and just drink water, but we want you to be informed and enjoy drinks in moderation. Also when drinking try to drink with a straw, not only does it decrease the amount of acidic contact and it also decreases straining on your teeth.
Keep water nearby so you can dilute the acid covering your teeth, while also increasing the silva production that helps protect enamel. Water has a neutral level of acidity, which won’t cause damage to tooth enamel. Also, DO NOT brush immediately after consuming beverages listed below… Why? Thirty minutes to an hour after consumption, the enamel of your teeth will be slightly softer, and brushing ends up spreading the acid around to other parts of your teeth.
Acidity of Beverages
Energy Drinks
Not only is energy drinks high in sugar content and critic acid pH that can be as low as 1.5. With the high sugar content and acidity not only does it cause erosion but it also promotes teeth decay! This includes Red Bull and Rock Star. You should be definitely avoid Rock Star due to the pH level of 1.5! (FYI a car batter pH level is at 1!)
Soda
Soda is one of the most acidic beverages out there! Not only acidic, but also high in sugar, causing even more damage to your teeth! Bacteria in the mouth turns excess sugar into acid that wars down tooth enamel. Most sodas have a pH of 3 or lower.
Fruit Juices
Most people would think fruit juices would be healthy, but they are actually high in acidic and contain lots of sugar. Most fruit juices at stores have added sugar and there is very little actual fruit in the juice. Eating whole fruits are way better for your teeth! Most fruit juices have a pH lower than 3.
Sport Drinks
Gatorade and Powerade are one of the most popular sport drinks. They have a significant negative effect on your teeth. Although they do help in re-hydration they are also highly acidic and can cause tooth enamel wear down. Most sport drinks have a pH of 3 or lower.
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages also have high acidic levels! Wine, beer, hard liquor all have a pH balance of 4 and lower. Sweet wines are more acidic than beer. Alcohol can be damaging when paired with other acidic drinks such as sodas and fruit juices.
Coffee
Many people drink coffee daily! Not only does coffee cause discoloration, coffee has acidic levels that can lead to tooth decay.
Here is list of popular drinks and pH levels
NEUTRAL pH 7.00
Dentin dissolves below 6.50
Enamel dissolves below 5.50
