Tooth Decay: Effects of Coca Cola and Energy Drinks on Teeth

Sodas and energy drinks combine sugar and acid, and neither helps your teeth. But which is worse? The Birmingham Mail reported on an informal experiment one dentist did to find out.

The Experiment

Dr. Bierman dropped four of his own extracted wisdom teeth into different drinks:

• One into a popular energy drink
• One into regular Coke
• One into Diet Coke
• One into water, as a comparison

This was a demonstration, not a controlled study. Teeth soaked in a bottle get far more exposure than teeth in a mouth, where saliva dilutes and washes away acid.

What He Found After Two Weeks

• Coca-Cola: the tooth was stained and almost completely black.
• Diet Coke: little change, though it was stained.
• Energy drink: the worst. Chunks of enamel fell off, and the tooth looked pink and rust-colored.

The acid in the energy drink stripped away enamel and exposed the dentin underneath. Exposed dentin raises the risk of tooth decay and can cause pain and sensitivity.

What It Means for Your Teeth

Frequent sipping of acidic or sugary drinks keeps your teeth bathed in acid. Water is the safest choice for your teeth.

Dr. Han Nguyen can help you prevent tooth decay and avoid unnecessary tooth pain and sensitivity.