We all know soft drinks are full of sugar, which obviously isn’t great for teeth, but what happens if the sugar is removed – does that make them okay? What about mineral water – is it as tooth-friendly as tap water? To help you figure out what drinks are good for your teeth, we asked an expert to sort beverage fact from fiction.

Is drinking sparkling water bad for your teeth?

Whenever drinks are carbonated, they’ll have a higher acid level – which technically means they’re more likely to cause dental erosion (which is when acid from foods and drinks start to dissolve the surface of teeth). Although sparkling water is slightly more acidic than regular water, it’s not considered bad for teeth. It’s all a matter of perspective, explains Bupa Dental’s Dr Greg Thomas.

“Mineral water is on the acidic side, but it’s not as bad as wine or apple juice,” says Dr Thomas. “Even normal nap water is slightly acidic.”

The takeaway: Sparkling water isn’t necessarily good for teeth, but isn’t bad either. If you like your water carbonated, avoid having it with added sugar or citrus flavouring (which will raise the acidity level further).

Are sugar free fizzy drinks bad for your teeth?

Think diet soft drink is a better option for your teeth than full sugar drinks? Think again. Diet soft drinks are still highly acidic, meaning they can cause dental erosion. Every sip of a diet soft drink results in an acid attack on the protective enamel surrounding your teeth for around 20 minutes!

The takeaway: avoiding soft drinks – diet or regular – will do your teeth a world of good. But if you must indulge, sip through a re-usable straw to reduce the acid exposure. Drink it quickly and consume water afterwards to rinse out your mouth.

Are sugar free energy drinks bad for your teeth?

When we’re talking energy or sports drinks and dental health there are three factors to consider, says Dr Thomas. “There’s the sugar, they’re often high in caffeine – caffeine will dehydrate us – and then there’s the acidity.”

Find out more about the impact of dehydration on teeth.

He says that choosing sugar-free energy drinks isn’t going far enough to protect your teeth, as you’ll still be exposing them to acid attacks.

The takeaway: energy drinks and sports drinks will damage your teeth. If you need an energy hit, you’re better off choosing coffee or tea without sugar, and drinking plenty of water afterwards to avoid dehydration.

Talk to a dentist near you

If you’re concerned about the impact of your diet on your teeth, contact your local Bupa Dental team