Sugar-free sodas, sports drinks can cause tooth decay; here's 5 ways to protect your teeth from enamel erosion

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Just because it is sugar-free, it does not mean it cannot do some damage to your teeth. This is the latest finding from a study conducted by Australian researchers at the Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), based at the University of Melbourne.

According to the new study, even though some of the sodas, sports drinks and candy do not contain sugar, which is linked to tooth decay, they can still damage the teeth because of their acidic additives and for having low pH levels that also wreaks havoc to the tooth enamel, wrote Medical News Today.

"Many people are not aware that while reducing your sugar intake does reduce your risk of dental decay, the chemical mix of acids in some foods and drinks can cause the equally damaging condition of dental erosion," said Eric Reynolds. He is a laureate professor and CEO of the Oral Health Cooperative Research Center at Melbourne University.

"In its early stages, erosion strips away the surface layers of tooth enamel. If it progresses to an advanced stage it can expose the soft pulp inside the tooth," he explained via a news release.

After testing 23 different types of sugar-free drinks, which include soft drinks and sports drinks, the researchers discovered that most soft drinks and sports drinks are causing the dental enamel to soften by between 30 percent and 50 percent. And, it does not matter whether it's sugar-free or not, these types of beverages including flavored mineral waters can lead to a loss of the tooth surface, according to the CBS News.

WebMD said that good dental care is still the best way to keep your mouth healthy. And, in order to protect your teeth, here are some ways to keep your teeth from enamel erosion;

1. Cut down on acidic drinks and foods, like sodas, citrus fruits, and juices. When you do have something with acid, have it at meal times to make it easier on your enamel. You can also switch to things like low-acid orange juice.

2. Rinse your mouth with water right after you eat or drink something acidic.

3. Finish a meal with a glass of milk or a piece of cheese. This will cancel out acids.

4. Chew sugar-free gum. This lowers the amount of acid in your mouth. Gum also helps you make more saliva, which strengthens your teeth with key minerals.

5. Wait at least an hour to brush after you've had acidic foods or drinks. They soften the enamel and make it more prone to damage from your toothbrush.