In reality, all carbonated drinks pose a potential risk of acid damage. By this is meant an irreversible etching of the enamel of the teeth. The reason for this is that the pH of sparkling water, for example, is lower than the neutral pH balance of the oral cavity. And when the pH drops, it is the enamel of the teeth that suffers.
The neutral pH value in the oral cavity is approximately 7.5, and the enamel of the teeth is etched if the pH value falls below 5.6.
The important factor for the extent of acid damage is the amount of acid in the food and drink in question. For example, a cola has a pH value of 2.4, whereas sparkling water without citrus is around 4.8. The neutralization of the acid will therefore take longer after consuming cola than after consuming sparkling water. Depending on the individual saliva quality, it takes between 40 and 90 minutes for the teeth to be free from the effects of the acid, and the more often you lower the pH value in your mouth, the longer the neutralization takes.
Therefore, you should follow the advice below:
- Quench your thirst with water! You can add a few slices of cucumber or mint leaves to your water to spice up the flavor.
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly after consuming acidic food and drinks. And wait to brush your teeth until an hour after consumption.
- If you're going to drink soda, juice, sparkling water and the like, you should drink it all at once instead of many small sips throughout the day.
