Acidic Drinks Can Damage Tooth Enamel in 30 Seconds
According to a new study from the University of Adelaide, 30 seconds is all it takes for permanent damage to occur on tooth enamel as a result of drinking acidic drinks such as soda, juice, energy drinks or sports drinks.
“If high-acidity drinks are consumed, it is not simply a matter of cleaning your teeth 30 minutes to an hour later and hoping it will be okay – the damage is already done.”
A 32-ounce sports drink can contain up to 14 teaspoons of sugar while a 20-ounce soda often has more than 16 teaspoons of sugar, Drinking these types of sugar-loaded beverages can increase the risk of tooth decay by giving bacteria in the mouth sugar to feed on, which then produces acid that attacks the teeth and weakens enamel.
Also, if you are a tooth grinder or experience regurgitation or reflux (which brings with it acid from the stomach), combining drinks high in acid poses a triple threat for your teeth, which can cause long-term damage. Drinking water or low-fat milk is the best option in preventing tooth decay.
For more information, see the study published online July 1, 2014, in the Journal of Dentistry.
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