How Long After Drinking Something Acidic Does The Damage Begin?

August 15, 2025

How Long After Drinking Something Acidic Does the Damage Begin?

Posted on 8/15/2025 by Northview Family Dental

Many people enjoy a cold glass of juice, soda, or coffee each day. What they may not realize is that these beverages, although delicious, can be quite acidic. This acidity can erode tooth enamel, the hard outer layer that protects your teeth from decay.

What Happens When You Consume Acidic Drinks?

When you drink something acidic, the acid in the beverage reacts with the calcium in your tooth enamel. This reaction causes the enamel to soften and become more susceptible to damage. The longer the acid is in contact with your teeth, the greater the damage.

How Long Does It Take for Damage to Begin?

The good news is that your mouth has natural defenses against acid. Saliva helps neutralize the acid and wash it away. However, it takes your saliva about 20-30 minutes to neutralize the acid from a single acidic drink. This means that if you drink something acidic and don’t rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth, the acid can continue to damage your teeth for up to 30 minutes.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Teeth?

There are several things you can do to protect your teeth from the damaging effects of acid:

•	Drink through a straw: This will help to minimize the contact between the acid and your teeth.
•	Rinse your mouth with water after drinking something acidic: This will help to neutralize the acid and wash it away.
•	Wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth: Brushing your teeth immediately after drinking something acidic can actually damage your softened enamel. It’s best to wait 30 minutes so your saliva has time to remineralize the enamel.
•	Drink plenty of water throughout the day: Water helps to keep your mouth hydrated and washes away food particles and acid.
•	Chew sugar-free gum: Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which can help to neutralize acid.
•	See your dentist regularly: Your dentist can monitor your oral health and provide advice on how to keep your teeth healthy.

Prevention Dentistry is Key

By taking these simple steps, you can help to protect your teeth from the damaging effects of acid. Remember, prevention dentistry is always the best approach to oral care. By being proactive about your oral health, you can save yourself time, money, and discomfort in the long run.