Re: Which drink is the worst for your teeth?

Drinks that are bad for your teeth have one of the following properties:

1. Very acidic, so tooth enamel is dissolved.
2. Containing sugars or starches, promoting fast bacterial growth.
3. Leaving deposits or stains which will help let bacteria attach to tooth surfaces.

1. Containing calcium or vitamin C, allowing the body to grow strong teeth and gums.
2. Containing mild acids or other chemicals that slow down bacterial growth without injuring enamel.

Carbonated drinks have high acid content (particularly colas with phosphoric acid) that can damage tooth enamel. They also can have large amounts of simple sugars that foster bacterial growth.

Coffee and tea leave stains on the teeth that allow bacteria to attach. But they also have tannins and other chemicals that retard bacterial growth.

Bacteria damage teeth and gums by dissolving enamel through acid production and by building up hardened biofilms (plaque and calculus) that irritate gum tissue.

Your saliva is basic (alkaline), the opposite to acidic, so it helps counteract the acid made by bacteria. This is also why baking soda, which is basic, is frequently mentioned or used in brushing teeth.