I wish I could remember the author that coined the term "liquid chainsaw", so I could give due credit.
The term best describes the damage that we as dentist are seeing since the introduction of flavored energy and sport drinks, including flavored vitamin waters. The ingredients have all but completely eliminated the benefits of fluoridated water. Consumers switching from tap water to bottled (non-fluoridated) water have compounded the effect.
The detrimental effects of sugar and acid on tooth enamel, caused by soda and carbonated beverages has been well documented. In a report by General Dentistry the authors found that even though cola based drinks contain one or more acids, usually citric or phosphoric, the most damage to teeth was caused by lemonade, energy and sport drinks. The reason is that sport drinks contain additives and organic acids that actually advance dental erosion.
A study at the University of Maryland concluded that enamel damage caused by non-cola and sports beverages were 3 to 11 times greater than cola based drinks. Energy drinks and bottled lemonade caused the most harm to dental enamel.
Before we eat or drink, the pH (measurement of acidity) in our mouth is about 6.2-7.0, slightly more acidic than water. When the bacteria in our mouths are exposed to sugar, they metabolize it and produce acid. This exposure to acid causes the pH to drop. At a pH of 5.2-5.5 or below, the acid begins to dissolve the hard enamel that protects our teeth. This exposure to acid will continue for about twenty minutes until the natural pH of our saliva can neutralize the acidity and return the pH to normal. Exposure to drinks that are acidic, whether diet (sugar substitute) or regular, bypasses the bacteria->sugar->acid step and instantly initiates enamel demineralization.
What can you do ?
1. Sipping soda and energy type drinks, increases the time that the teeth are exposed as well as the number of 20 minute cycles. The buffering effect of your saliva is cancelled out. Solution: "chug" vs sip.
2. DON'T BRUSH !! After consuming an acidic drink it is best to just rinse your mouth with water.
Remember the acid has microscopically "etched" the tooth enamel. Brushing within 20 miutes of consuming an acidic drink will actually remove even more of the weakened enamel. Let your saliva do the job of remineralizing the enamel and neutralizing the saliva for 20-30 minutes before brushing.
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Nutritional Content of Popular Drinks
Acid Level (pH) Sugars (in grams)
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Water 7.00 0
Propel 3.2 4
Diet Coke 3.19 0
Diet Pepsi 3.06 0
Nestea 3.04 17
Mt Dew 3.16 31 (11 teaspoons)
Gatorade 2.95 14
Lemonade 2.50 29
Pepsi 2.50 27
Battery Acid 1.00 0
(source: University of Iowa College of Dentistry, USDA National Nutrition Database for Standard Reference)
