Energy and sports drinks are extremely popular beverages and have exploded on the market. With this rise in consumption has come a rise in health problems. One such health problem is tooth decay. It is well understood how sugary drinks can lead to tooth decay, but highly acidic drinks can also contribute to the deterioration of tooth enamel. Sports and energy drinks are high in sugar and citric acid, which over time can erode enamel and contribute to further dental problems. The role sugar plays in tooth decay, diabetes, and obesity is pretty well recognized, but the dangers lurking in energy drinks from the high concentration of citric acid may be less worrisome or understood to many.
Eroding Dental Health
The exact amount of citric acid contained in a beverage is not something that is required to be declared by beverage companies on the labels of their products. Because of this, high citric acid content in beverages is often overlooked as a component of enamel decay. The high acidity in energy drinks and the large quantities in which they’re consumed make the risk for tooth decay serious for a large portion of the population–particularly among younger people. While enamel loss and tooth decay cannot be blamed entirely on certain foods and drinks, the role acidic energy drinks have on tooth decay is well known.
Minimize Intake & Counter Acidity
Diet, oral hygiene, and genetics all play contributing roles in enamel loss and tooth decay. The consumption of certain sugary and acidic beverages should be done in moderation. Like any other aspect of dental hygiene, limited consumption and efforts to counter the high acidity in beverages like energy drinks can help reduce the risk for enamel loss and tooth decay. Drinking water along with or soon after energy drink consumption can help clear some of the acid from the teeth. In addition to this, consider brushing about an hour after to clean the teeth of damaging sugars and acids. Brushing too soon after consumption can simply spread the acid around the teeth.
As with any food or drink that can damage your physical or dental health, always consume in moderation. Drinking large quantities of energy drinks has been shown to contribute to enamel loss and long term tooth decay. Lost enamel cannot be regained, so make every effort to protect your teeth by limiting consumption, rinsing with water, and brushing your teeth after drinking these beverages. Protecting your teeth from damaging sugars and acids will help mitigate dental problems over time.