In recent years, the consumption of soft drinks and beverages has risen dramatically. More importantly, the frequency with which children, adolescents, and young adults consume these drinks has led to an exponential increase in dental erosion.
Dental erosion is the irreversible acid dissolution of the tooth’s surface structure, occurring through chemical means without the involvement of microorganisms, and happens when the oral pH drops below 4.0.
A recent study published in the United States in The Journal of the American Dental Association evaluated the pH of 379 commercially available beverages, including sodas, fruit juices, energy drinks, sports drinks, and teas. The goal was to determine the erosive potential of these drinks, considering acidic pH as the primary factor driving dental erosion.
The study found that 93% of the beverages (354 out of 379) had a pH below 4.0.
Of these, 39% (149 out of 379) were classified as extremely erosive, 54% (205 out of 379) as erosive, and only 7% (25 out of 379) were considered minimally erosive.
Why Are Beverages Acidic?
Acids are usually added to beverages to create the so-called flavor profile, giving the drink its characteristic taste. Acids provide a tart and tangy flavor that helps balance the sweetness of the sugar in the beverage and are key factors in its overall taste.
Phosphoric acid is added to cola drinks to provide tartness, inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, and improve shelf life.
Citric acid, naturally found in citrus beverages and added to many others, gives a tangy flavor and also acts as a preservative.
Malic acid occurs naturally in apples, pears, and cherries and is added to many non-carbonated drinks, such as fruit drinks, fortified juices, sports drinks, and iced teas, because it enhances their natural flavor. It is also added to carbonated drinks to artificially sweeten them, intensify taste, and reduce the amount of other added flavorings. These additives give beverages their characteristic sweet-and-sour taste.
Acidic Beverages: Watch Out for Children!
Research has highlighted the prevalence of dental erosion in children, ranging from 10% to over 80%. Primary teeth are considered more susceptible to erosion than permanent teeth, as their enamel is thinner and less mineralized.