Drinks have emerged as one of the most significant sources of acid.
Drinks such as regular soda, diet soda, sports drinks, canned iced tea and lemonades can lead to extensive tooth decay and enamel destruction because of the low pH or acidity of the drinks.
Enamel is the hardest substance in the body but it is susceptible to breakdown from acids found in soda/drinks. The more acidic the drink (the lower its pH), the more rapid the enamel destruction. Tooth enamel dissolves below 5.5.
It is important to note that exposed root surfaces de-mineralize twice as fast as that of enamel.
Soda/drinks may contain carbonic, phosphoric, malic, citric and tartaric acids and therefore have an acidic pH. Drinks that contain artificial sweeteners still pose a significant threat because of their acidic content.
Acid (pH) Low=Bad
- Water..........7.00 (neutral)
- Brewed Black Coffee..........6.25
- Brewed Black Tea..........5.36
- A&W Root Beer..........4.80
- Diet Sprite..........3.34
- Sprite..........3.27
- Diet Dew..........3.27
- Diet Coke..........3.22
- Mountain Dew..........3.14
- Gatorade..........2.95
- Canada Dry Ginger Ale..........2.94
- Diet Pepsi..........2.94
- Arizona Iced Tea..........2.94
- HI Punch..........2.82
- Coke..........2.48
- Pepsi..........2.46
There are other areas of the body which are also affected by low pH:
- The phosphoric acid in beverages leaches calcium from bones, promoting osteoporosis.
- The intake of excess calories from soda is contributing to the obesity/diabetes epidemic that is occurring in children/teenagers today.
The best things to drink is WATER, MILK and 100% FRUIT JUICE, with the understanding that even milk and juice have sugar that can lead to decay.
