These are the alcoholic drinks that rot your teeth the most

When you're sipping on a pint in the sun you very rarely think about how it affects your body, past the dread of tomorrow's hangover. If you're really canny, you might consider the calorie content of your drink or maybe you'll steer clear of mixing spirits.

But have you ever considered what drinking alcohol does to your teeth? And more importantly, whether your drink of choice is the worst culprit for rotting those pearly whites.

Well lucky for you, we consulted Elleven, a dental wellness company, about the worst alcohols for tooth decay. As a quick disclaimer: All alcohol has sugar in it and therefore all alcohol is bad for your teeth. But some are worse than others, and here they are, from least to most bad:

Mixers

Mixers are still bad, hence why they're on this list, but they're not the worst of the worst. In fact, coming in last, they're the best of the worst!

This is partially because mixers vary, so some are worse for your teeth than others. Sparkling water and tonic are some of the least harmful, so you're probably safe with your vodka, lime and soda or G&T.

Coke is obviously pretty bad, with high acidity levels and sugar content. For example, a 330ml standard can of coke contains roughly seven spoonfuls of sugar whereas sparkling water contains none! Ideal. It is still acidic though, as are pretty much all mixers, so watch out.

Liquors

Spirits like Malibu are tasty, we know, but they're tasty because they're full of nasty enamel destroying sugars! These are the worst liquors for your teeth, because of the sugar content.

If you want to drink something strong, opt for a clear liquor like vodka or gin, which are lower in sugar. They also help to fight bacteria in your mouth, so they're basically mouthwash (I'm kidding please do not sue me if your teeth fall out after you read this article)!

Dark beers

Be wary of these, because stouts and ales are a sure fire way to stain your teeth. If you fancy a Guinness, consider swapping it with a light beer or lager, like an IPA or Red Stripe. Lighter beer isn't so bad, as it has a high water content and lower acidity.

Ciders

The second worst alcoholic drink is cider. Ciders have a very high acidity, which is particularly bad for your teeth. They're also made with fruit juices and infusions, which have the potential to stain your teeth just as much as dark beers, but with the added sting of acidity.

If you want that fruity taste to be less of a kick in the teeth, maybe try low sugar mixers with clear liquors, like a vodka lemonade, which is marginally better for your pearly whites.

Prosecco

Who saw that coming!? Prosecco is actually the worst alcohol for your teeth – very upsetting news.

Prosecco has a whole host of characteristics that make it bad for your teeth, including the bubbles – aka the best part – which are highly acidic. The alcohol content and sugar levels are also very high, making it a triple whammy for teeth decay.

Every glass of prosecco contains a heaped table spoon of sugar, so maybe think of that next time you're poppin' bottles. Settle for a nice G&T, served with a smile and a lack of dental health related dread instead.

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