Sugar-free beverages can be just as bad for teeth as sugar

Scientists from Melbourne University's Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre tested a wide range of sugar-free drinks and candy and found many of them can be just as harmful to teeth as their sugared counterparts. Though the beverages don't produce the dental cavities of sugary goodies, researchers found the sugar-free products can strip away the outer layer of teeth, leading to chalkiness on the surface of teeth, pitting, opacity, tooth sensitivity, and other issues. That's because they contain acids like phosphoric acid (found in colas) and citric acid (found mainly in lemon- and lime-flavored drinks). "Therefore, banning sugar-containing beverages from schools may have positive health effects for reducing obesity, diabetes, and dental caries but it may not reduce the risk of dental erosion," Eric Reynolds, an oral health professor, and his coauthors wrote in the Australian Dental Journal.

- Washington Post