Coke is a carbonated beverage that many people enjoy, but Coke is also popular for non-food-related uses, such as whitening teeth.
However, you may be wondering if Coke can whiten teeth. I did the research, and here is what I found!
Does Coke Whiten Teeth?
Instead of whitening, Coke is known for making the teeth look yellower and further damage teeth. Coke is high in acid, which inevitably makes Coke effective at damaging the enamel of your teeth, emphasizing discoloration. If you want to prevent teeth discoloration, drink Coke with a meal, gargle with clean water, and brush your teeth 30 minutes after drinking Coke.
If you are curious why Coke does not whiten teeth, why Coke causes discoloration, and if Coke damages teeth more than other beverages, then keep reading!
Does Coke Make Teeth White?
Rather than turning your teeth white, Coke can make your teeth yellower because Coke is acidic with a pH level of 2.6-2.7, which is enough to strip off the enamel protecting your teeth.
Once the enamel has weakened and been stripped off, your teeth will become dull and look yellow.
Moreover, Coke can promote cavity growth, which will make your teeth spotted and darker.
Additionally, Coke contains chromogens because Coke is considered a dark cola. Coke has a dark pigment that can stain your teeth in the long run rather than make your teeth whiter.
Does Coke Zero Ruin Your Teeth?
Contrary to popular belief, Coke Zero is just as bad as regular Coke when it comes to ruining your teeth even if Coke Zero does not have any sugar.
Additionally, Coke Zero is related to higher chances of tooth erosion because Coke Zero contains phosphoric acid.
Phosphoric acid is a substance known to erode the teeth’ enamel, making your teeth more prone to damage.
Is Diet Coke Or Coke Zero Worse For Your Teeth?
In general, soda is one of the main reasons for teeth erosion, and Diet Coke is worse for your teeth than Coke Zero.
Diet Coke damages teeth more than Coke Zero because the Diet Coke line contains both phosphoric and citric acid which is a double blow to your teeth enamel.
Moreover, Citric acid is stronger than phosphoric acid when eroding the teeth, making Diet Coke worse for your teeth.
However, Coke Zero still contains phosphoric acid, meaning Coke Zero can still damage your teeth.
How Do I Protect My Teeth From Coke Stains?
One of the best ways to protect your teeth from Coke stains is by not drinking Coke. However, several other methods will help you to prevent damage if you still want to drink Coke.
Firstly, start drinking Coke with meals because eating food will neutralize some of the acidity in Coke while also lessening how much time your teeth are exposed to high pH levels.
After drinking Coke, immediately rinse your mouth with clean water to remove any acidity and sugar in your mouth.
Moreover, rinsing your mouth with water after drinking coke will trigger the production of saliva, which will help the natural remineralization of the teeth.
Having regular appointments with the dentist will also help protect your teeth from Coke stains.
Lastly, remember that Diet Coke and the Classic Coke will still erode your teeth, meaning any kind of Coke can damage your teeth’ enamel.
Can You Brush Teeth Immediately After Drinking Coke?
You may think it’s a good idea to brush your teeth immediately after Coke, but brushing your teeth right after drinking Coke can speed up teeth erosion and damage.
Studies show that you should wait thirty minutes after consuming Coke or any soda before brushing your teeth.
Brushing your teeth immediately after drinking Coke will merely brush the sugar and acid around your teeth, worsening the potential damage.
Therefore, waiting for thirty minutes before you brush your teeth will give your time to get used to the acid present and prevent further damage.
Does Coke Damage Teeth More Than Sprite?
Dark colas like Coke have a pigment in their formulation called Chromogens, which can further cause teeth discoloration and yellowing.
However, if you’re thinking that you’re safe with light-colored ones like Sprite, then you would be wrong. Sprite is considered extra harmful to the teeth’ enamel compared to other dark sodas.
Sprite contains flavor additives that are aggressively known for causing long-term damage to your teeth.
Does Coffee Stain Your Teeth More Than Coke?
Admittedly, both coffee and coke are the banes of oral health, but Coke generally stains your teeth more than coffee does.
Coffee contains three acids namely chlorogenic, nicotinic, and trigonelline acid, and this triple acid formulation helps ward off bacteria that try to anchor to your teeth.
Therefore, coffee can still offer protection to your teeth to some degree. However, you still cannot change that both Coke and coffee consumption may do more harm than good for your teeth.
Does Drinking Coke Through Straw Help Protect The Teeth?
Drinking Coke through a straw can protect your teeth because the straw serves as a barrier against the Coke and your teeth, limiting the time of consumption and your teeth’s exposure to acid.
If there is less contact between Coke and your teeth, there will be fewer stains. Additionally, you will also reduce the chances of developing a cavity and weakening your teeth’ enamel.
Have a look at our related articles to learn if Coke keeps you awake, if Coke Zero has caffeine, and if Dr. Pepper is a Coke product.
Conclusion
Coke is a dark soda that will inevitably cause teeth discoloration due to several factors, which include acidity, phosphoric and citric acid, and dye pigments in Coke’s formula.
You can drink Coke while preventing dental damage by washing your mouth with water after drinking Coke, pairing Coke with a meal, and seeing your dentist regularly.