Root beer is a popular carbonated soft drink, often viewed differently from colas or citrus beverages. However, the short answer to whether it is detrimental to your teeth is yes. Like any soda, root beer is typically sweetened and carbonated, containing the two primary ingredients responsible for dental damage. Understanding the specific mechanisms of this damage and how root beer compares to other soft drinks can help consumers make informed choices.
The Dental Threat: Acidity and Sugar
The primary danger root beer poses to teeth comes from its low pH level and its sugar content. Dental enamel begins to dissolve, a process called demineralization, when the oral environment drops below a critical pH of approximately 5.5. Root beer, like all sodas, is acidic, and its pH falls well below this threshold, ensuring that every sip initiates an acid attack on the enamel.
This acid exposure occurs even if the drink is sugar-free, as carbonation forms carbonic acid and flavorings also lower the pH. The prolonged presence of this acid weakens the enamel, making it softer and more susceptible to wear.
The second mechanism of damage is caused by fermentable carbohydrates, such as sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup. These sugars feed naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth, most notably Streptococcus mutans. As these bacteria metabolize the sugar, they excrete lactic acid as a waste product. This secondary acid production significantly lowers the pH further, accelerating demineralization and leading directly to the formation of cavities.
Root Beer’s Unique Position Among Sodas
While root beer is erosive, it occupies a distinctive position compared to other common soft drinks. Many popular colas and citrus-flavored sodas rely on strong acids like phosphoric acid and citric acid for their flavor profile. These sodas frequently register a pH in the highly acidic range of 2.5 to 3.5.
Root beer is generally formulated without these strong acids, resulting in a slightly higher, less aggressive pH level. Specific brands typically measure a pH between 4.0 and 4.75, making it the least erosive option among conventional carbonated sodas. Although this higher pH causes less immediate erosion than a cola, it is still significantly acidic compared to neutral water, which has a pH of 7.
The pH of root beer remains well below the critical 5.5 level needed to prevent enamel dissolution. Therefore, while it may be less damaging than its counterparts, it is not harmless. Switching to a diet version only solves the sugar component, leaving the inherent acid problem intact. The high acidity from the carbonation and flavorings in sugar-free root beer still poses a significant risk for long-term enamel erosion.
Strategies for Minimizing Dental Risk
For those who consume root beer, several behavioral adjustments can significantly reduce the risk of dental damage. The most effective strategy is to limit the duration of acid exposure. It is better to finish the drink relatively quickly than to sip it over an extended period, which continuously bathes the teeth in acid and sugar.
Using a straw is another effective measure, as it helps direct the liquid toward the back of the mouth, minimizing contact with the front teeth. Immediately after consumption, the mouth should be rinsed thoroughly with plain water. This helps wash away residual acid and sugar particles, neutralizing the oral pH and promoting a faster recovery.
Chewing sugar-free gum after drinking can be beneficial because it stimulates saliva flow. Saliva is the mouth’s natural defense mechanism, working to neutralize acids and supply minerals that help the enamel remineralize.
Avoid brushing teeth immediately after finishing the root beer. The acid temporarily softens the enamel, and brushing at this time can physically scrub away the weakened outer layer. Dentists recommend waiting at least 30 to 60 minutes before brushing to allow saliva time to harden the enamel surface again.