29 Oct Five Drinks That Can Ruin Your Teeth
Iced coffee. Soda. Fruit juice. Energy drinks. Cocktails. There’s one thing all of these drinks have in common: they’re bad for your teeth. Drinking these beverages every day (or several of them throughout the day) can ruin your teeth.
It’s mostly because of the combination of sugar and acid. Sugar is bad, because it feeds the bacteria in plaque. When they digest sugar, those bacteria release acids. And since acid is one of the only things that can destroy tooth enamel, you have to watch out for acidic beverages as well.
The Five Worst Drinks for Your Teeth
1: Sweet Coffee Drinks
On its own, coffee isn’t that bad. Caffeine is actually an antioxidant with several health benefits. But coffee is acidic, so after you stir in some milk and sugar or add your favorite flavored creamer, you’ve got that acidic-sugary combination that’s so bad for your teeth. And if you drink multiple cups a day or sip on iced lattes all afternoon, that damage adds up.
2: Sodas
Have you ever heard that you can use Coca-Cola to remove rust from chrome? It actually works, because of the phosphoric acid. And there’s a lot of sugar (or corn syrup) in a can of Coke, as well. But it’s not just Coke. Even sugar-free sodas have ingredients like citric acid and phosphoric acid that are used as flavors or preservatives. So if you drink sodas every day, you might want to cut back to prevent cavities.
3: Fruit Juice
If you grew up drinking a glass of orange juice for breakfast, this one might come as a surprise. But whether it’s concentrated or fresh, fruit juice is full of sugar. And citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit are also full of (you guessed it!) citric acid. If you have kids, try not to let them get hooked on juice, because it’s really bad for their teeth.
4: Energy Drinks
Sugar? Check. Citric acid? Check. Artificial dyes that can stain your teeth? Check.
Energy drinks and sports drinks are just as bad for your teeth as coffee drinks and sodas. Once again, it’s that combination of high acidity and high sugar content. So if you’re using energy drinks to stay hydrated, try a zero-sugar electrolyte powder instead.
5: Mixed Drinks/Cocktails
It depends on the mixer, but most cocktails include some type of simple syrup, fruit juice, or soda. And since alcohol can make your mouth dry, that only makes it easier for plaque to build up. Chase your mixed drinks with a glass of water, and don’t forget to brush and floss before bed.
Preventive Dental Care in Prescott
Going to the dentist to get your teeth cleaned twice a year is one of the best ways to prevent cavities and gum disease. Our hygienists know exactly where plaque and tartar like to hide, and they’ll go tooth-by-tooth until they’ve removed it all. Dental cleanings can even remove surface stains from drinks like coffee and food dyes, so your smile will look brighter, too!
If you’re due for a cleaning and checkup, contact Prescott Dentistry to make an appointment today.
Photo by Tiago Choupina on Unsplash with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 9/30/26.