Most people are aware that soda and candy are bad for their teeth, but a dental expert is warning that the full list of harmful beverages might come as a real surprise. Dr. Deepa Chopra, the lead dentist at Whites Dental clinic, recently explained that the most damaging drinks are those combining two destructive forces at once. As she put it, “Sugar feeds the bacteria that cause cavities, while acid can soften and erode enamel, the protective layer of the tooth.” She shared these insights with Express.co.uk, and the findings are worth paying close attention to.
One of the more eye-opening points Dr. Chopra raised is that beverages marketed as healthy can be just as damaging to teeth as the obvious culprits. Fruit juices and smoothies, long considered wholesome alternatives to soda, are actually a significant source of concern. While they carry natural sugars, those sugars still fuel cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. Citrus fruits in particular are packed with acids that, when consumed regularly, steadily wear down tooth enamel over time.
Sports drinks and energy drinks are another category that Dr. Chopra flags as problematic, and many people underestimate the damage they can cause. “Many of them contain citric acid, which research has shown to be highly erosive to enamel,” she noted. People who drink these beverages regularly throughout the day, especially during or after workouts, may be exposing their teeth to a near-constant acid bath. The combination of acidity and frequency is what makes the damage accumulate so quickly.
The good news is that Dr. Chopra does not suggest people give up their favorite drinks entirely. Her advice is practical and easy to follow for most people. “If you do enjoy these kinds of drinks, you can do a lot to protect your teeth by having them with a meal rather than sipping them throughout the day. It also helps to drink water afterward,” she explained. Rinsing the mouth with plain water after consuming something acidic or sugary can significantly reduce the harmful effects on enamel.
When it comes to choosing the best possible drink for long-term dental health, Dr. Chopra points clearly to plain water as the top option. It keeps the mouth hydrated, helps wash away food particles and bacteria, and exposes teeth to neither sugar nor acid. Milk is also highlighted as an excellent choice because it is rich in calcium, which is essential for maintaining the strength of both bones and tooth enamel. Milk can also help neutralize acids in the mouth and may even contribute to enamel remineralization. Unsweetened sparkling water and coconut water round out the list of more tooth-friendly beverages, with coconut water offering useful minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and electrolytes.
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, but it cannot regenerate once it is lost. Unlike bone, enamel has no living cells and therefore cannot repair itself, which is why prevention is so critical. The outer surface of each tooth is made up of tightly packed mineral crystals, and acid attacks cause these crystals to dissolve in a process called demineralization. Saliva plays a natural defensive role by helping to remineralize enamel after acid exposure, but when acid attacks happen too frequently, saliva cannot keep up. Dental erosion is distinct from tooth decay in that it is caused by chemical dissolution rather than bacterial activity, though both processes can occur simultaneously and worsen each other. Fluoride, found in most tap water and toothpaste, has been shown to help strengthen enamel and slow the process of erosion over time.
Feel free to share which drinks you consume daily and whether you will be rethinking any of your habits in the comments.
