Worse than Drinking Battery Acid
Just how horrible are these drinks for you? Here is a diagram showing the acid pH levels and teaspoons of sugar found in commonly enjoyed beverages:
| Drink or Substance (12 oz. serving) | Acid pH | Tsp. Sugar |
| Water | 7.0 (neutral) | 0 |
| Milk | 6.7 | 1 |
| Barq’s Root Beer | 4 | 11 |
| Minute Maid® Orange Juice | 3.8 | 9 |
| Propel® Fitness Water | 3.4 | 1 |
| Red Bull® Energy Drink | 3.3 | 10 |
| Sprite® | 3.3 | 10 |
| Mountain Dew | 3.3 | 12 |
| Diet Coke | 3.1 | 0 |
| Sierra Mist | 3.1 | 10 |
| Full Throttle Energy Drink | 3 | 11 |
| Diet Pepsi | 3 | 0 |
| Gatorade® | 2.9 | 5 |
| Sunkist® Orange Soda | 2.9 | 13 |
| Dr. Pepper | 2.9 | 10 |
| Vault™ Energy Soda | 2.9 | 12 |
| Mountain Dew AMP | 2.8 | 11 |
| SoBe Energy Citrus | 2.6 | 12 |
| Minute Maid® Lemonade | 2.6 | 10 |
| Pepsi | 2.5 | 11 |
| Diet Schweppes Tonic Water | 2.5 | 0 |
| Coca-Cola | 2.4 | 10 |
| Battery Acid | 1 | 0 |
Notice at the bottom of the list is battery acid. Battery acid of course is not a drink, and it should never be consumed. But according to the chart, your teeth could better fight off highly destructive battery acid than some of the drinks you have every day. An eye-opener, this should help you consider your beverage consumption more seriously.
Acid and Sugar: A Vicious Combo
Acid and sugar are a two punch combination for tooth decay, erosion and infection. Acid breaks down our sensitive tooth enamel and can bore into our teeth’s crevices, causing cavities. Teeth exposed by acidic erosion are an open cesspool of bacteria that can lead to infections and extraction of teeth. Sugar, most actively sucrose, develops into plaque almost instantly once in contact with your teeth. Plaque buildup is not only unbecoming, but it is where bacteria sits and festers in your mouth. Your dental health depends on avoiding drinking acidic and sugary drinks.