diet soda vs sugared soda

Hello.
I'm wondering if anyone here can clear this up as there seems to be some
controversy over the subject.
But what is it within regular 'Cola' drinks that causes the tooth decay
Is it:-
1) The sugar not the acid. The sugar sticks to the teeth, then bacteria
living within the plaque on the teeth metabolise it steadily producing an
acid, like a factory, around the tooth that then erodes the enamel.
2) Or is it the acid within the drink in the form of phosphoric and carbolic
(I think the CO2 reacts with the water to form this acid) I know that Cola
drinks are pretty acidic with a Ph of around 4. Some claim it is this rather
than the sugar that causes the bulk of the damage. Others maintain that the
acid within the drinks don't stick to the teeth and are quickly swallowed
and any lingering acidity is quickly neutralised by saliva. Unlike the acid
produced by the bacteria in plaque as a by-product of metabolising sugar.
This acid is highly localised around the teeth and is constantly being
generated until all the sugar has been used.

Which scenario is correct, if any, and if both play a part how are they
rated i.e is it the phosphoric acid that does 90% and the
sugar-bacteria-acid pathway that does the remaining 10% etc?
Thanks.


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: diet soda vs sugared soda
    ... The sugar sticks to the teeth, ... > acid, like a factory, around the tooth that then erodes the enamel. ... > that Cola drinks are pretty acidic with a Ph of around 4. ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Re: diet soda vs sugared soda
    ... Caries is tooth decay, which needs bacteria to colonise the teeth and produce acid, hence it is actually a bacterial disease. ... Noncarious defects include everything else, commonly abrasions, abfractions, fractures, erosions etc. Erosion is specifically the loss of hard tooth tissue due to chemomechanical action that does not involve bacteria. ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Re: diet soda vs sugared soda
    ... what is the difference between decay and erosion? ... > Sugar is metabolized into an acid in the final steps of the biochemical ... > metabolism by bacteria. ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
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    ... Glacial acetic acid can make gallons of Vinegar very cheaply. ... Vinegar does not taste good, ... It cant be built up to sugar. ...
    (rec.food.cooking)
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