What if the real risk to your enamel isn’t just how acidic a drink is, but the specific acids hidden inside it that change how your teeth dissolve?

In this episode of Dental Formulator’s Playbook, Dr. Rob and Tami break down how acidic drinks impact enamel demineralization, and why the “type of acid” matters, not just pH. They start with a surprising discussion on Pedialyte, explaining how a low pH plus citric acid and citrate salts can raise erosion risk, especially when calcium is absent. Then they compare major sodas and flavored waters, highlighting how acids like phosphoric acid, citric acid, and benzoic acid show up across brands for both preservation and taste. The episode closes with practical ways to reduce damage, plus a few “safer” sparkling water picks based on pH.

Highlights

1. Why pH below 5.5 increases demineralization risk (and how fluoride changes resistance)
2. The surprising enamel risk with Pedialyte (especially without calcium)
3. Coke vs. Pepsi: acid profiles and why “cola acid” is not always the same
4. Why benzoic acid shows up in drinks for more than preservation
5. A practical enamel-saving approach for acidic drinks when you are sick, dehydrated, or dry-mouthed
6. Flavored waters: why “it’s just water” can still be a problem
7. Which sparkling waters land closer to “gentler” pH territory

Practical Takeaways

1. Avoid brushing immediately after acidic drinks. Wait at least 30 minutes.
2. If you must use acidic electrolyte drinks, consider damage control strategies discussed in the episode (timing, fluoride support, and calcium buffers).
3. Flavored waters often contain citric acid and may sit below enamel-safe pH ranges.
4. Plain sparkling waters can vary. Some test closer to the safer side, but citrus flavors tend to drop pH.

📲 Connect with Dr. Rob (Robert L. Karlinsey, PhD)

🌐 Website: customdentalformulations.com

Robert L. Karlinsey, PhD

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What if the real danger to your teeth isn’t that fruit is acidic, but that different fruit acids strip enamel in very different ways most people never learn about?

In this episode of Dental Formulator’s Playbook, Dr. Rob and Tami break down the chemistry behind fruit acids and their real impact on dental erosion. While fruits are often grouped together as “acidic,” the hosts explain why citric acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid behave very differently once they interact with enamel, saliva, and calcium.

Using clear chemistry explanations and published research, the conversation explores why oranges pose a higher erosion risk than apples, how calcium binding changes as pH shifts in the mouth, and why certain acids are routinely used in dental erosion testing models. The episode also covers practical, evidence-based strategies to reduce acid damage without avoiding healthy foods altogether.

🔍 Episode Highlights

1. Why acidic foods are not equally damaging to teeth
2. The difference between dental erosion and dental caries
3. Citric acid vs malic acid vs tartaric acid explained simply
4. How calcium binding strength determines erosion risk
5. Why citric acid is the standard acid used in erosion research models
6. How pH shifts in the mouth amplify mineral loss
7. The role of EDTA and why its chelation strength matters
8. Why calcium-fortified beverages reduce enamel damage
9. How wine and sports drinks contribute to dental erosion
10. The science behind brushing timing after acidic exposure

🧪 Key Takeaways

1. Different fruits expose teeth to different acids, which vary in erosive potential
2. Apples primarily contain malic acid, which has lower calcium-binding strength
3. Oranges primarily contain citric acid, which is more erosive due to stronger calcium binding
4. Grapes primarily contain tartaric acid, which behaves more similarly to citric acid than malic acid
5. Citric acid contains three carboxylic acid groups, allowing it to bind calcium more aggressively at oral pH
6. Stronger calcium binding increases enamel mineral loss compared to acids with fewer binding sites
7. EDTA binds calcium far more strongly than fruit acids and must be carefully managed in dental formulations
8. Citrus fruits and juices pose a higher erosion risk than apples
9. Calcium-rich foods and beverages can act as sacrificial calcium to reduce enamel damage
10. Calcium-fortified...

What happens when a best-selling pet oral care product is examined ingredient by ingredient instead of through marketing claims?

In this episode of Dental Formulator’s Playbook, Dr. Rob and Tami take a close, evidence-based look at Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste, a product with tens of thousands of reviews and strong consumer trust. The discussion focuses on formulation transparency, ingredient safety, and whether the product’s claims align with canine oral biology and real formulation science.

Dr. Rob breaks down each ingredient, including enzymes, glycerin, aloe, and neem oil, and explains why popularity and sales volume are not substitutes for safety data or biological relevance. Special attention is given to the quiet removal of neem oil from marketing language while it remains in the ingredient list, raising concerns about transparency rather than reformulation.

This episode encourages pet owners to read labels carefully, question buzzwords like “enzymatic” and “natural,” and prioritize evidence-based formulations over trends.

🔍 Highlights

1. Why dogs and cats do not develop dental caries like humans
2. The difference between human and veterinary oral care needs
3. What glucose oxidase enzymes actually do and why they may not benefit pets
4. Concerns around neem oil remaining in the formula despite removal from marketing claims
5. Potential gastrointestinal risks associated with neem oil and aloe
6. How glycerin-heavy, water-free formulations affect brushing performance
7. Why “safe to swallow” claims deserve extra scrutiny
8. The risks of equating high sales and positive reviews with product safety
9. How misleading marketing language can obscure formulation reality
10. The importance of ingredient transparency in veterinary oral care

💡 Key Takeaways

1. Dogs do not get cavities, so caries-focused enzymes offer limited benefit
2. Ingredient transparency matters more than marketing language
3. Neem oil is a potent antimicrobial not intended for ingestion
4. Removing claims without removing ingredients reduces consumer trust
5. “Natural” does not automatically mean safe for pets
6. Sales volume and reviews are not safety indicators
7. Evidence-based formulation should guide pet oral care decisions

📲 Connect with Dr. Rob (Robert L. Karlinsey, PhD)

🌐 Website: customdentalformulations.com

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