| DENVER - According to Dr. Charles Barotz of Barotz Dental, findings in a recent study on Enamel Dissolution in various beverages indicated what many perceive to be true about carbonated beverages may not be the case. The study pitted various carbonated and non-carbonated beverages against each other measuring the ph levels, composition, and enamel aggressivity between them. Interestingly, non-cola beverages were far more aggressive than cola drinks. Mountain Dew and Diet Mountain Dew were found to be the most destructive at five times more aggressive than Coke or Pepsi. Ironically, Arizona Iced Tea was three times more aggressive than Coke or Pepsi. The good news is that A&W Root Beer causes no destruction to the tooth enamel, ranking better than brewed black tea, and brewed black coffee. When it comes to enamel dissolution of your teeth, there is no difference between regular and diet versions of the beverage.
Dr. Barotz encourages his patients to avoid excessive carbonated beverage consumption which can lead to tooth decay, oral cavities, and osteoporosis. Carbonated beverages contain phosphoric acid which, with prolonged exposure, can erode the tooth's enamel leading to tooth decay and cavities. Tooth loss and osteoporosis have also been linked to canned sodas. Sodas contain phosphorus, a mineral known to leach calcium from bones, leaving them brittle, and susceptible to fracture. When this occurs in the jawbone, tooth loss can occur. In order to reduce the negative effects of soft drink consumption, Dr. Barotz recommends "you follow a healthy diet, reduce the amount of carbonated beverages consumed, and maintain good oral hygiene. If you must consume soft drinks, limit consumption to mealtime. This will help neutralize the phosphoric acid in soft drinks."
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