Eating, drinking and your teeth
Why eating moments matter — and what soft drinks do.
You have probably heard it before: "No more than 7 eating moments a day." But why? What actually happens in your mouth when you keep snacking?
The answer is more interesting than you might think. And once you understand it, you can make your own informed choices.
What happens in your mouth
Every time you eat or drink something (except water), your mouth becomes more acidic. In an acidic environment, the enamel on your teeth dissolves slightly. This is called demineralisation.
Fortunately, saliva comes to the rescue. Saliva neutralises the acid, returns minerals to your teeth and protects the enamel. This is called remineralisation.
But saliva needs time. It takes 20 to 60 minutes for the acidity to return to normal.
The problem with constant snacking. If you take a sweet or a sip of soft drink every little while, your saliva never gets a chance. Your mouth stays acidic. Demineralisation outpaces remineralisation. And over time, cavities develop.
The wisdom of 7 eating moments
Now you understand why 7 eating moments is a sensible guideline. Not because 8 is magically harmful. But because it gives your mouth a break.
Between eating moments, saliva can neutralise the acid and your teeth can recover. That is all there is to it.
And if you do not always manage 7 eating moments — that is normal. The point is to understand why it makes sense. Then you can make your own choices.
Why soft drinks are especially harmful
Cola and iced tea contain acid. Cola has phosphoric acid; iced tea has citric acid. Both make your mouth more acidic — on top of the effect of the sugar.
What about diet drinks? Still not good for your teeth. Even without sugar, the acid is still there. Your enamel dissolves regardless.
Energy drinks are even worse
Energy drinks such as Red Bull contain not only lots of sugar and acid, but also caffeine and taurine. Their pH typically ranges from 1.5 to 3.3 — almost as acidic as stomach acid. Your enamel dissolves extremely fast.
High doses of caffeine and taurine together can also cause heart palpitations, especially if you drink a lot of them.
What you can drink between meals: Water. Plain water. Not sparkling water with flavour, not squash, not fruit juice. Water does not acidify your mouth and keeps your blood sugar stable. Unsweetened tea and coffee are fine too.
Sports drinks seem healthy, but…
Sports drinks are often seen as healthy — they are for athletes, after all. But be aware: they contain sugar, salt and citric acid. If you do a lot of sport and genuinely need fluid with electrolytes, they can be useful. But if you drink them all day without exercising, you get the same problems as with ordinary soft drinks.
The message
You do not have to avoid every snack. But be aware of what is happening in your mouth. Give your saliva a chance to do its job. Drink water between meals. And if you manage fewer eating moments — that is already a gain for your teeth.
Scientific sources
- Lussi A, Jaeggi T. (2008). Erosion — diagnosis and risk assessment. Clin Oral Investig, 12(Suppl 1):5-13.
- Firbyanto R, Widyastuti A. (2018). Effect of brushing the teeth before and after meals on salivary pH. J Int Oral Health. "Salivary pH returns to neutral within 30–60 minutes after eating."
- Ehlen LA, et al. (2008). Acidic beverages increase the risk of in vitro tooth erosion. Nutr Res, 28(5):299-303.
- Higgins JP, Tuttle TD, Higgins CL. (2010). Energy beverages: content and safety. Mayo Clin Proc, 85(11):1033-1041.
- Dr. Sylvain Chamberland, Orthodontist. (2023). Energy Drink and Dental Erosion. "Energy drinks have a pH ranging from 1.5–3.3."
- Coombes JS. (2005). Sports drinks and dental erosion. Am J Dent, 18(2):101-104.
- Colgate Oral Care Center. (2024). How To Rebalance The PH Of Your Mouth. "The best option for maintaining neutral oral pH is plain water."
mijngebit.info is not a medical device. If in doubt, consult your dentist.