It’s the funky, fermented tea adored by hipsters and gym junkies alike for its low sugar content and myriad gut-health benefits. But dentists are now warning that kombucha could be just as bad as soda when it comes to your dental health and not for the reasons you may think.

Speaking to Salon, Dr Bobby J. Grossi revealed that while there are many health claims surrounding the drink, the pro-biotic tea has the same potential to wreak havoc on your teeth’s fragile enamel due to its high level of acidity.

“Kombucha is nearly as acidic as a pop and energy drinks,” he said. “Acidic drinks mess with the pH level of the saliva which ideally should be 7 or 7.3, when the saliva level becomes more acidic it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria which can take over the mouth.”

And it’s the very same build-up of bacteria which can lead to decays and enamel erosion.

Earlier in February Dr Jeffery Sulitzer, chief clinical officer at SmileDirectClub, explained to POPSUGAR that it all comes down the type of bacteria present in the drink.

“The dominant type of bacteria in kombucha creates acetic acid,” he said.

“On the pH scale, white distilled vinegar tests around 2.4 pH. A properly brewed batch of kombucha may fall anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5. The acidic pH found in kombucha allows the ‘bad’ bacteria already found in your mouth to potentially create an unhealthier environment for your gums.”

But it’s not just enamel erosion and decay that you have to worry about.

Just as other dark-coloured beverages, like coffee, stain your teeth over time, the tannins in kombucha also have the potential to discolour your teeth, according to Dr Sulitzer.

It’s not all doom and gloom though.

The secret to keeping your pearly whites safe remains the same for those partial to a soft drink – use straws where possible (eco-friendly, of course), rinse your mouth with fluoride-treated water (aka town water) and limiting the number of drinks you consume overall.

See here to find out exactly what kombucha is and how to make it for yourself.