AcidsAll sodas contain high levels of acids like carbonic acid, phosphoric acid, and citric acid to improve their flavor and freshness. However, acids are harmful to your teeth because they degrade your enamel. The more more acidic a substance is, the lower its pH values. As shown on the right, sodas have pH values much lower than neutral water. Your tooth enamel begins to degrade at any pH less than 5.5, so drinking any of these beverages with a pH lower than 5.5 (hint, all of them except water) will weaken your teeth.
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Sodas also contain high levels of sugar that damage your teeth. A 20-ounce bottle of Mountain Dew contains 77 grams of sugar. A bottle of Coke contain 65 grams of sugar and a bottle of Pepsi contains 69 grams. The bacteria in your mouth use sucrose (table sugar) as their energy source, so by drinking soda you are helping them grow faster. When these bacteria eat the sugar you provide them, they convert it to acid, which further contributes to tooth decay.
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