Whether you call it soda, soft drink, or pop, this category of carbonated beverages poses a significant challenge to dental health. The damage is primarily due to a two-pronged attack on the tooth structure: high acidity, which chemically dissolves the hard outer layer of the teeth, and high sugar content that feeds oral bacteria, leading to biological acid production and decay.
The Primary Threat: Acid Erosion
The primary threat from pop is its high acidity, which directly attacks the protective enamel layer of the teeth. Acidity is measured on the pH scale, where a neutral substance is 7.0. Most pop falls into a highly acidic range, often between pH 2.5 and 3.5. The threshold for tooth enamel demineralization, or the point at which it begins to dissolve, is approximately pH 5.5.
When the pH in the mouth drops below this level, the hydrogen ions in the drink begin to leach calcium phosphate minerals from the enamel. This process, known as erosion, is a direct chemical attack that happens upon contact and is not dependent on bacteria or sugar. Even diet or sugar-free versions of pop still contain aggressive acids, such as phosphoric and citric acid, making them highly erosive. The immediate softening of the enamel structure makes the teeth temporarily vulnerable to friction from brushing or chewing.
Constant exposure to these low pH levels weakens the tooth structure, making it thinner and more susceptible to physical damage and sensitivity. The erosive potential increases tenfold with each one-unit decrease in pH below the threshold.
The Secondary Threat: Sugar and Decay
While acid erosion is a direct chemical assault, the sugar in pop creates a biological threat that leads to dental decay, also known as cavities. Sugar serves as the energy source for specific types of oral bacteria, particularly Streptococcus mutans. These bacteria metabolize the sugar through fermentation and release metabolic waste products, primarily lactic acid.
This bacterial acid production lowers the pH on the tooth surface, leading to the formation of sticky dental plaque. The resulting acid attack causes localized demineralization of the enamel, creating microscopic pores that eventually develop into cavities. Unlike the momentary chemical erosion from the drink itself, this bacterial acid attack can continue for 20 to 30 minutes after the last sip of the sugary beverage.
The frequency of consuming sugary pop is often more damaging than the total amount consumed because each instance restarts the acid-producing cycle. Sipping pop over an extended period subjects the teeth to multiple, repeated acid attacks, preventing the mouth’s natural defenses from neutralizing the environment. This constant cycle of demineralization without adequate time for remineralization drives the decay process.
Protecting Your Teeth from Pop
For those who continue to consume pop, specific habits can significantly mitigate the damage to the enamel and underlying dentin. Drinking the pop relatively quickly, rather than slowly sipping it over an extended period, minimizes the time the enamel spends in a low-pH environment.
Using a straw can help by directing the liquid toward the back of the mouth, bypassing the front teeth. It is also beneficial to consume pop alongside a meal, as chewing stimulates saliva flow. Saliva is the mouth’s natural defense mechanism for neutralizing acids; it is rich in minerals that wash away sugar and promote remineralization of the enamel surface.
Immediately after finishing the pop, rinsing the mouth thoroughly with plain water helps to dilute the acids and wash away residual sugar. Chewing sugar-free gum can further aid this process by stimulating saliva production and helping to restore a neutral pH balance. However, avoid brushing the teeth immediately after consuming pop, as the enamel is temporarily softened and vulnerable to abrasive damage. Waiting at least 30 to 60 minutes allows the saliva to naturally harden the enamel before a thorough brushing with fluoride toothpaste.