Do Highly Acidic Beverages Affect Tooth Enamel?

Author: Dr. David Dickerhoff, DDS, MAGD, FOCOI

I watch societal trends and try to keep up with what is trending within the younger generations and how it may affect their general health. A new beverage trend I have been seeing is kombucha. It is a fermented, lightly effervescent, sweetened black tea drink commonly consumed for its purported health benefits. Sometimes the beverage is called kombucha tea to distinguish it from the culture of bacteria and yeast. Juice, spices, fruit and other flavorings are often added. In the July/August 2023 edition of the Academy of General Dentistry’s magazine, General Dentistry, there was a study entitled, “Millennial Drinks: acidity, fluoride content, and enamel softening”.  This study comes out of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (chief author, Sarah Pierce, DDS).

This in-vitro study aimed to evaluate the acidity and fluoride content of beverages commonly consumed by millennials and the enamel-softening effect of these drinks on tooth enamel. Consumers should be aware that beverages can cause tooth erosion, but the effects are determined not only by acidity. The buffering ability of saliva and the frequency patterns of beverage use all come into play. But knowing that initial demineralization of teeth can be seen in a pH as high as 5.5. PH is a measure of acidity/alkalinity with neutrality registered at seven on a scale from 1 (acid) to 14 (alkaline).

Thirteen beverages popular with young adults had a pH lower than 4.5 and could cause enamel softening.  Among the beverages tested, flavored sparkling waters were less acidic than kombucha and energy drinks.  Beverage labels sometime list their pH but are not required to. Fluoride content of these beverages can also help to minimize their enamel softening nature.

Kombucha tea is marketed as Buddha’s Brew (strawberry lemonade), Health Ade Kombucha (blood orange, carrot, ginger), Dr. Kombucha (Brew Dr.), KeVita Brew Kombucha (tart cherry), and GT’s Synergy Raw Kombucha (mystic mango).  All of these products registered a pH between 2.6 and 3.2.

Just like I am not a health care advisor that is death on sugar use, understanding that sugar and other fermentable carbohydrates are part of the food groups that bacteria metabolize to produce acids that demineralize tooth enamel. Health food beverage drinks with a low pH can also make tooth enamel more sensitive to softening/weakening leading to dental problems.

My advice is, all things in moderation. Frequency of use can lead to more potential for damage. Control plaque and keep good oral hygiene at the top your health care goals.  We here at Spring Lake Dental Group, are available to answer your questions. The environment out there is changing all the time, but we remain lifelong students that are committed to giving you professional guidance that is relevant and true.