Majority of the people are used to candy damaging their teeth, rather than drinks. However, here dentists pay particular attention to what is sipped all day long-as a repetitive, low level exposure may be more significant than a single, flagrant luxury.
Dental erosion refers to the chemical process where the tooth mineral is dissolved by the acids. It differs with bacteria-driven cavities, yet may precondition the state of sensitivity, enamel thinning, and accelerated wear, in particular, when beverages are acidic or sweet, or when they are taken over prolonged periods.
1. Cola
Cola is a combination of two characteristics that are frequently sounded by dentists: high acidity and sugar. Sugar contains bacteria which make decay causing acids, and the drink may itself soften enamel upon contact. In the case of cola consumed over a period of time, as during commutes, meetings, or exercise, the mouth receives fewer breaks to buffer and heal and the likelihood of permanently damaged softened enamel is becoming more and more a reality.
2. Sports drinks
Sports drinks are commonly considered as the hydration devices, but the compositions are frequently based on the acids aimed at enhancing the taste and shelf life. The prevalence of dental erosion among athletes in a systematic review of athlete-centered studies reported dental erosion prevalence ranging between 19.4 and 100 percent (a large portion of which exhibited signs of enamel involvement and few studies reported signs of dentin involvement). Another study included in the sample established that the use of sports drink among swimming athletes in chlorinated pools increased the chances of erosion in swimming by two folds. These beverages can be disproportionately hard on teeth due to frequent sipping, low saliva flow caused by dehydration and exposure to acid.
3. Energy drinks
The energy drinks are often at least more acidic than the consumer thinks, and the dentist will be concerned about the consumption, which is fast bursts, getting addictive, then drawn out through the morning or afternoon. Enamel can be made soft due to acidity, and a repeat exposure can increase the erosion rate. With the thinning of the enamel layer, teeth could become more sensitive to cold and sweet foods and surfaces can become more prone to staining.
4. Sweet tea
Tea on its own is more of a stain than an eroding agent, although sweetened types would provide a continuous supply of sugar which would remain on the teeth. The trend is common in the minds of dentists who can spent hours sipping sweet tea exposing teeth surfaces to sugar in between meals. Staining may be cosmetic; the more serious point is that with constant decay-enhancing sugar intake, the more the decay will extend to the enamel as time goes on.
5. Sugar (or flavored) coffee.
Compared to other soft drinks, black coffee is not as acidic, but common add-ins alter the risk profile. Even daily cup of coffee habit could become a daily dose of sugar contact (and that is in addition to the fact that sweetener, flavored syrup, and sweetened creamers can make the drinking coffee experience slow). The coffee is also easy to stain and enamel that is worn or softened may harbor discoloration even more stubbornly.
6. Kombucha and vinegar drinks.
Fermented and vinegar drinks may be deciphered as wellness, but the dentist is concerned with the chemistry: they may be very acidic. That acidity is able to dissolve minerals of enamel, especially when the drink is consumed in small portions and retained in the mouth. In case the drink is also carbonated, the mixture is likely to lead to longer sipping, which exposes more time with the teeth.
7. Fruit juice (natural or natural juice)
Juice has a health halo and dentists examine dental acids and natural sugars. The American Dental Association reports that the dietary sources like natural acidic fruit juice may lead to erosion, especially when it is taken frequently. The sugar that is present is still accessible to oral bacteria even when a label suggests that there is no added sugar and the acidity can weaken the enamel in the meantime.
8. Flavored sparkling water
Sparkling water is not very acidic, yet it depends on the additives. Colgate writes that most unflavored sparkling waters are only slightly erosive, and flavored ones may fall into an even more alarming pH range; one work cited as an example is lemon-flavored sparkling water, with a pH of about 3. The practicality problem is the repetition: here is a can, there is another, and the teeth are hit by the frequent acid problems that are easy to forget since the drink is sugar-free.
Dentists are more interested in patterns rather than in the prohibition of any particular drink: frequency, time of contact, and aftermath. Saliva takes time to counteract acids and it is preferable to have acidic or sweet beverages as a treat, at the meal table, and with water.
In cases where the acids have softened the enamel, brushing may increase wear. There is some advice to wait after taking acidic drink before brushing; Colgate recommends that after taking sparkling water or other drink that softens enamel, wait at least 20 minutes before brushing.
