The Truth About Soft Drinks and Orthodontics
What You Need to Know to Protect Your Smile
Summer is a season of sunshine, sports... and soft drinks. But if you’re in orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners, those fizzy favorites could put your smile at serious risk.
Here’s why soft drinks and orthodontic appliances don’t mix—and what you can do to protect your teeth.
The Hidden Danger: Acid
Whether it’s soda, sports drinks, fruit drinks, or even diet options, these beverages all have one thing in common: acid. Acid breaks down the enamel that protects your teeth—a process called decalcification. Once enamel is gone, it’s permanent, and that can lead to cavities, permanent white marks, or worse.
Double Trouble: Acid + Sugar
Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, feeds on sugar and releases even more acid. When soft drinks and plaque combine forces, the result is a constant attack on your teeth—especially around brackets or beneath aligners. The damage can start in just four months.
Braces vs. Aligners: What’s the Risk?
With Braces: Plaque builds up around brackets and wires. Without proper brushing, white scars can form that never go away—even after your braces come off.
With Aligners: Acidic liquids can get trapped between your aligners and teeth. That means the acid sits on your enamel longer, accelerating damage and decay.
How Acidic Are Soft Drinks?
Tooth enamel starts to erode at a pH of 5.5—and the lower the pH, the more acidic and damaging the drink is.
Unfortunately, many popular drinks fall far below that safe line:
Coca-Cola: 2.60
Gatorade: 2.99
Red Bull: 3.50
Fruit juices like lemonade and fruit punch: often between 2.6 and 3.1
Even diet sodas often range from 2.6 to 3.5
Compare that to:
Milk: 6.7
Water: 7.0 (neutral and safe)
Bottom line: these acidic drinks are harsh on your enamel—and even harsher during orthodontic treatment.
How to Protect Your Smile
✅ Skip the soda—choose water or milk
✅ Brush and floss as recommended
✅ Use fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse
✅ Keep seeing your dentist for regular cleanings
If you do have a soft drink:
Use a straw
Don’t sip it slowly—drink it quickly
Rinse with water or brush afterward
Never drink them with aligners in
The Bottom Line: Your Smile is Worth It
Avoiding soft drinks during orthodontic treatment helps you finish with a strong, healthy bite and a confident smile. If you have questions about what’s safe to eat and drink, don’t hesitate to ask us—we’re here to help every step of the way.