COLA
Sugar content: approx 6½ tsps (26g) per 250ml Acidity level: Very high (pH 2.5) There have long been rumours that cola can dissolve a tooth in a short space of time. Our photos show there is some truth to this. ‘It has also been claimed that you can clean a car engine with cola and I would not be surprised if this was equally true,’ says Dr Atkins.
‘Cola’s effect on the tooth is extreme and shocking. Apart from the extensive staining, turning the tooth brown after only two days, it has also completely cracked in half owing to the huge extent of demineralisation which has made it weak.’
Dr Atkins doesn’t let his children drink cola. ‘The effects on young teeth can very quickly become extreme, devastating future oral health. With 12 spoons of sugar in a typical can of a cola-like drink, the decay potential is almost off the scale.’ Decay potential: 9/10