Published: 15:06 BST, 3 September 2026 | Updated: 21:36 BST, 3 September 2026
That kombucha, lemon water, prebiotic soda, flavored seltzer, or apple cider vinegar tonic may feel like a smart pick, but sip trendy drinks like these all day and your teeth could pay the price.
The problem is not just their high potential sugar content, they are also acidic beverages.
And repeated exposure to this acid can soften and wear away enamel, the protective outer layer that keeps teeth strong, leading to cavities, decay, discoloration and harmful infections.
We asked a leading dentist how to enjoy trendy drinks without wrecking your smile.
It's easy to trust a drink that sounds wellness approved, but there are sneaky issues to know. If the label says 'gut-friendly' or 'sugar-free,' people tend to assume it is easier on the body, teeth included.
Not so fast, says Dr Edmond Hewlett, consumer advisor spokesperson for the American Dental Association and professor emeritus at the UCLA School of Dentistry in Los Angeles.
'One of the biggest misconceptions patients have about "healthy" drinks is that these beverages are automatically better for your teeth because they are "healthy" or "sugar-free,"' Hewlett told Daily Mail.
'Some of them, however, are also acidic, and tooth erosion happens when foods and beverages that are high in acid dissolve away at the enamel that protects our teeth.'
Translation: a drink does not need to be sugary to be hard on your teeth.
Seltzer or water with lemon or lime can be acidic, which could have an impact on your teeth
Acidic drinks can push your mouth into the danger zone.
According to a study, the critical pH for enamel is 5.5. These levels represent the pH at which saliva is no longer saturated with calcium and phosphate, meaning the tooth's surface can begin to dissolve away, the dentist said.
One drink will not destroy your smile, but the habit can add up.
'A temporary dip in pH does not necessarily translate immediately to permanent enamel loss since pH is just one of several factors involved in enamel erosion,' explained Hewlett.
