It has long been noted that sugar causes decay in the teeth. So it is a natural assumption that if one drinks diet soda, it will reduce the amount of sugar intake thus reducing the amount of decay on the teeth. Unfortunately, that is not true. Soft drinks, that is any drink with carbonation, has a low pH. That means they are acidic. Acids break down the enamel under the surface and create a void or a hole there.

A recent study found that not all soft drinks break down the enamel surface at the same rate. It seems that some are more detrimental to the enamel than others. Sixteen different soft drinks were tested to see how they effected the strength of the enamel. Once the enamel is altered, the acid level in soda will cause more breakdown.

It is important to know which soft drinks alter the strength of the enamel and which soft drinks have the lowest pH so they can be avoided when making choices about what to drink. The result of this study indicated that the darker soft drinks (regular and diet) did less damage to the enamel strength than lighter colored soft drinks or canned iced tea. Root beer did not alter the enamel much and thus would be a good choice of a soft drink. Brewed tea and brewed coffee also had low levels of enamel strength alteration.

Remember to keep in mind that any soft drink that is carbonated can damage the enamel whether it is diet drink or regular drink.

Making good beverage choices is important especially for children and teens who are in their high decay rate years.

Don’t forget that oral hygiene plays a significant role in the rate of decay. Keeping your teeth clean will prevent decay as well. It is the balance between diet, nutrition, and oral care that will help to maintain a healthy smile.

Source: Barb Stackhouse, RDH, M.ED.

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