Are energy, sports and carbonated drinks REALLY bad for your teeth?
The science behind orthodontic treatment and your drink choices
April 3, 2025
Energy drinks such as Alani, Celcius, Monster, Ghost, Red Bull and others are one of the fastest growing beverage categories in the US, with over 50% of millennials and over 30% of teenagers consuming them regularly. Sports drinks are another popular item among all age groups, but highest among young adults where over 30% of the population drinks them at least once a week. And of course, everyone knows the familiar offenders – Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew and other carbonated drinks. While these may seem harmless – especially if they are diet/sugar free – they can be incredibly damaging to your teeth! Even if they use sugar substitutes, they all contain very high amounts of citric acid, a flavor enhancer, preservative and acid regulator.
Citric acid can also appear under other names such as :
“Sodium Citrate”
“Potassium Citrate”
“Buffered Citric Acid”
And even “Natural Flavor”
Some drinks and flavor packets contain tartaric acid, phosphoric acid or malic acid.
How does citric acid damage my teeth?
These acidic ingredients are BIG offenders because they damage your teeth in more ways than one! We all know that calcium is an essential part of strong teeth; citric acid actually causes a chemical reaction in your tooth enamel that removes and dissolves the calcium in your teeth. Over time this process (known as demineralization) leaves each tooth much softer, weaker, and vulnerable to cavities. This damage will quickly cause visible white scars or “lesions” on the teeth that are impossible to repair.
As you can see from the chart above, energy and sports drinks are clearly in the “Very Acidic” range, which makes them a big enemy for healthy tooth enamel.
Each step on the pH scale represents a 10-fold difference in acidity or alkalinity! So an energy drink with a pH of 3 is 10 times more acidic than tomato juice with a pH of 4.
What happens if I drink energy, sports or carbonated beverages during orthodontic treatment?
Many people believe that it takes years of these drinks to cause damage, but the effects of acid are immediate. Recent studies show that tooth enamel dissolves for up to 30 minutes after each sip! Regular consumption inevitably leads to tooth sensitivity, tooth decay and cavities. These negative effects can happen more quickly and more significantly while wearing braces or Invisalign®.
Braces create “pockets” for acid, sugar and food particles to hide, which means the acid in these drinks can stay in contact with tooth enamel for longer periods of time. Many patients also develop plaque (a sticky film) around brackets and wires due to less-than-ideal brushing habits. This plaque provides another place for acid to “hide” and further damage your tooth enamel. If your favorite drink contains acid AND sugar, it will actually cause more plaque to form around your brackets.
And although Invisalign® allows for more effective brushing, the aligners have another potential concern. If you consume acidic or sugary drinks and then put aligners in without a thorough brushing, the aligners "trap" the sugar and acid against your teeth for even longer periods of time!
How acidic is your favorite drink?
Long term goals for optimal dental health!
The ideal habit for dental health is to avoid acidic and sugary drinks altogether. Remember, our goal is to work toward a healthy and confident smile! Partnership with each patient is vital, so we need YOUR dedication to achieve your best results. Drinking mostly water, avoiding items on the “Do Not Eat” list, brushing and flossing twice a day, seeing your dentist every 6 months and staying on schedule for checkups with Dr. McKinney are not just our tips for a healthy smile – these are the biggest predictors of your overall dental health!
As always, Dr. McKinney and team are here to help, offer support and answer any questions you may have! Let us know how we can come alongside you as we work toward your best smile!