6 Drinks That Are Secretly Ruining Your Teeth, According to a Dentist

The foods and drinks that we eat and sip have a significant impact on our teeth. For example, soda has always been considered an enamel-breaking beverage—something to enjoy in moderation to avoid the long-term effects. But besides soda, there are multiple popular drinks that are causing the same amount of damage. “Beverages play a bigger role in oral health than most people realize,” says dentist Dr. Sandip Sachar, DDS. “What we drink has a direct daily impact on enamel strength, gum resilience, and propensity to develop cavities. They also influence the pH of the mouth, create an acidic environment, control hydration levels, and influence the amount of saliva production. All these variables affect enamel demineralization, bacterial activity, and the progression of cavities or gum disease.” Here, our expert shares six drinks that might be secretly damaging your teeth.

Flavored Sparkling Water

“While these are often sugar-free, many are acidic due to the carbonation and added flavoring,” Dr. Sachar says. “This low pH, acidic environment can slowly erode tooth enamel over time.” LaCroix drinkers, we know this is a hard pill to swallow; just be vigilant about how many cans you’re drinking per day so you can consume carbonated water in moderation.

Fruit Juices

Fruit juices, while delicious, are a sugary and slippery slope. “Orange, apple, and ‘green’ juices are often highly acidic and high in natural sugars,” Dr. Sachar says. “They bathe the teeth in acid and sugar simultaneously.” So while it’s refreshing to enjoy a fruit juice from time to time, consider brushing after you sip.

Sports Drinks

Athletes might reach for sports drinks as a way to refresh their electrolytes, but these beverages could be doing some serious damage. “These are often marketed for hydration but also contain added sugars and even acids,” Dr. Sachar says. “Even the zero-sugar versions of these drinks can be highly acidic and damaging to tooth enamel.”

Kombucha (and Other Fermented Drinks)

This one might surprise you. “While these are good for gut health, they are also acidic and often lightly sweetened with sugar,” Dr. Sachar says. “Kombucha in particular can be erosive to tooth enamel when consumed daily.” Reserve fermented drinks like kombucha for specific occasions, like when you’re in need of a boost for your gut. 

Iced Coffee (With Creamer)

Iced coffee with a splash of creamer is the perfect summer beverage, but too much can actually do more damage. “Even unsweetened cold brews are acidic but when syrups, creamers, or sweeteners are added, they become more cariogenic (cavity-causing),” Dr. Sachar says.

Wine

“Both red and white wines are acidic and erosive to tooth enamel,” Dr. Sachar says. “Red wine is particularly damaging due to its combination of acidity and dark pigments, which can cause staining. White wine, although lighter in color, is also acidic and can soften tooth enamel rapidly. These effects are magnified when wine is sipped frequently over long periods of time or swished around in the mouth during tasting.” While your alcohol consumption should be limited in general, it’s good to be conscious of how it’s affecting your teeth. Consider brushing after you sip.