A study conducted by scientists from the Melbourne University’s Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre found that sugar-free products may be just as harmful to teeth as those that contain real sugar.

The Washington Post  reports that the scientists tested an assortment of sugar-free snacks and beverages and found that due to their chemical composition, the sugar-free snacks have damaging effects to teeth.

Teeth are destroyed by bacteria that ferments, producing acid that leads to decay. Cavities in children’s teeth are fairly common. According to the 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 58 percent of children between the ages of 12 and 18 having cavities in their permanent teeth.

While a direct link between sugar-free foods and cavities was not found, the researchers discovered that the products help to strip down the outer layer of the tooth. This may leave the tooth with a chalky appearance, or cause tooth sensitivity. Common ingredients, like phosphoric acid, in soft drinks and citric acid, found in citrus-flavored beverages are often the cause.

Eric Reynolds, a professor of oral health says, “banning sugar-containing beverages from schools may have positive health effects for reducing obesity, diabetes, and dental caries but it may not reduce the risk of dental erosion.”

During the study, researchers analysed 15 beverages sold in schools, by testing them on extracted, healthy human molars. All of the molars studied had eroded dental enamel, with no difference between the sugar-free and sugared drinks.

The study recommends consuming as few sugared and sugar-free beverages as possible, in favor of water. If you plan on consuming an acidic product, researchers recommend rinsing your mouth out with water an hour beforehand. Brushing immediately after eating or drinking something with high acidic content may remove the softened layer of a damaged tooth.