According to a study completed by the General Dentistry journal, up to half of U.S. teens and young adults consume energy drinks and of the energy drinking kids, half have at least one sports drink a day. Unfortunately, the study found that along with this alarming increase in sports and energy drink consumption comes the result of irreversible tooth decay and sensitivity.
Energy and sports drinks have high acidity levels that can erode tooth enamel, boosting the risk of cavities. Researchers have also discovered that many teens and young adults have subscribed to the common misconception that sports and energy drinks are a healthier alternative for your teeth than soda. Yet, according to findings, researchers state that drinking sports and energy drinks is essentially “bathing their teeth with acid.”
What to do?
- Minimize your intake of sports and energy drinks altogether, encouraging water consumption instead.
- Increase saliva flow by chewing sugar-free gum or rinse your mouth out with water following consumption of energy and sports drinks. This helps to return the acidity levels in the mouth to normal.
- Though brushing sounds like a good idea, it is advised that patients should wait at least an hour to brush their teeth after consuming sports and energy drinks, otherwise they will be spreading acid onto the tooth surfaces, increasing the erosive action.
Energy and sports drinks not only have high acidity levels, but are filled with sugar. If you are concerned about your oral and overall health, reduce your consumption of energy and sports drinks and start hydrating yourself with water instead.