One of the most popular “gut health” drinks on supermarket shelves could be causing serious damage to your pearly whites
Health drinks are being sold everywhere, from supermarkets to online stores. Whether it is claiming to prevent hair loss, improve skin, or or help sleep, we might be tempted to down a concoction or two to boost our wellbeing.
However, it turns out these health drinks could be doing more harm than good, particularly to our teeth. In fact, a dentist has waded into this “gut healthy” drink trend to reveal it might be secretly wrecking your enamel.
The drink in question is kombucha – a fermented tea beverage. And a top dentist has warned the drink can harm teeth if consumed regularly.
Kombucha – the fizzy, fermented tea drink loved by wellness fans – might be doing wonders for your digestion, but according to oral surgeon Dr Andrej Bozic of Dentum, it can also quietly erode tooth enamel over time.
“People think of kombucha as a health drink, and in many ways, it is,” he said. “But they don’t realise that it’s also quite acidic, and that’s bad news for your enamel.”
Kombucha is made by fermenting tea with sugar and live cultures, which gives it its trademark tangy fizz – but also creates a low pH level, making it acidic enough to weaken the protective surface of your teeth.
“Enamel erosion doesn’t happen overnight,” Dr Bozic explained. “But if you’re sipping on kombucha every day – especially if it’s between meals or you’re letting it sit on your teeth – you’re giving acid regular access to your enamel. That’s when problems start.”
Acid wear can lead to increased sensitivity, yellowing, and a higher risk of cavities, even if you’re brushing and flossing regularly.
Dr Bozic added: “It’s not just fizzy drinks and sweets you need to watch out for anymore – it’s also these so-called ‘healthy’ options that no one expects to be harmful.”
And it’s not just kombucha. Dr Bozic warns that all carbonated drinks, including sparkling water and cola, can pose a risk to enamel if consumed too frequently.
“People are often surprised to hear that even fizzy water can be acidic enough to wear down enamel over time,” he said. “Cola and other soft drinks are even worse because they’re usually full of sugar too.”
Dr Bozic doesn’t suggest cutting out kombucha entirely – but recommends being smart about how you drink it.
“Have it with a meal rather than sipping it throughout the day,” he advised. “Use a straw to limit contact with your teeth, and don’t brush straight after – wait at least 30 minutes.”
He also recommends rinsing your mouth with water to help neutralise the acid and protect your enamel.
Dr Bozic’s advice comes as more dentists are seeing signs of enamel erosion in younger patients who brush regularly and eat relatively clean diets.
“It’s these hidden habits that catch people off guard,” he said. “Kombucha, lemon water, apple cider vinegar – they all have their benefits, but from a dental point of view, they’re not as harmless as people think.”