Root Beer May Be "Safest" Soft Drink for Teeth
Mar 27, 2007 - 12:58:11 PM
, Reviewed by: Dr. Shruti Tandel
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âDrinking any type of soft drink poses risk to the health of your teethâ
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Key Points of this article
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Exposing teeth to soft drinks, even for a short period of time, causes dental erosion
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Root beer products, however, are non-carbonated and do not contain the acids that harm teeth
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Non-colas cause a greater amount of erosion than colas
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Main results
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Researchers concluded that non-colas cause a greater amount of erosion than colas. Citric acid is the predominant acid in non-cola drinks and is a major factor in why non-cola drinks are especially erosive. There is a significant difference between sugared and diet colas.
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Dental erosion
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Dental erosion involves loss of tooth structure. Erosion refers to the action of the acid on the entire surface of the tooth. Dental erosion and dental cavities are not exactly the same. Cavities and tooth decay tend to be isolated to cavity-prone areas such as in between teeth and in pits and grooves.
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By AGD,
[RxPG] Exposing teeth to soft drinks, even for a short period of time, causes dental erosionâand prolonged exposure can lead to significant enamel loss. Root beer products, however, are non-carbonated and do not contain the acids that harm teeth, according to a study in the March/April 2007 issue of General Dentistry, the AGDâs clinical, peer-reviewed journal. That might be something to consider during the next visit to the grocery store.
Consumers often consider soft drinks to be harmless, believing that the only concern is sugar content. Most choose to consume âdietâ drinks to alleviate this concern. However, diet drinks contain phosphoric acid and/or citric acid and still cause dental erosionâthough considerably less than their sugared counterparts.
âDrinking any type of soft drink poses risk to the health of your teeth,â says AGD spokesperson Kenton Ross, DMD, FAGD. Dr. Ross recommends that patients consume fewer soft drinks by limiting their intake to meals. He also advises patients to drink with a straw, which will reduce sodaâs contact with teeth.
âMy patients are shocked to hear that many of the soft drinks they consume contain nine to twelve teaspoons of sugar and have an acidity that approaches the level of battery acid,â Dr. Ross explains. For example, one type of cola ranked 2.39 on the acid scale, compared to battery acid which is 1.0.
Researchers concluded that non-colas cause a greater amount of erosion than colas. Citric acid is the predominant acid in non-cola drinks and is a major factor in why non-cola drinks are especially erosive. There is a significant difference between sugared and diet colas.
âThe bottom line,â Dr. Ross stresses, âis that the acidity in all soft drinks is enough to damage your teeth and should be avoided.â
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About Dr. Shruti Tandel
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This news story has been reviewed by Dr. Shruti Tandel before its publication on RxPG News website. Dr. Shruti Tandel, BDS , is the senior editor for RxPG News website . In her position she is responsible for managing special correspondents and the dental section of the website.Her areas of special interest include Aesthetic dentistry and Endodontics.
RxPG News is committed to promotion and implementation of Evidence Based Medical Journalism in all channels of mass media including internet.
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