Everyone has harmful bacteria in their mouths, but drinking sugary drinks like juice or soda allows the bacteria to thrive, producing harmful acid in the process. This acid wears away the enamel on your teeth, causing cavities to form or erosion to occur. Reducing your consumption of sugary beverages (and replacing them with better choices like water, unsweetened tea, milk or diluted juice) helps protect your teeth.
Note: If you are going to consume sugary beverages, try to drink (not sip) them. Each sip of a sugary beverage causes your mouth’s acid to spike – an increase which can last up to an hour. If you sip on a soda or juice throughout the day, this can lead to much more damage than if you were to drink the beverage quickly (and allow your body time to wash away the sugar and acid).
For more information on the effect of sugary beverages on your oral health, click here.