Hitting the gym, taking a yoga class, hitting the road walking or running or conquering a new sport as part of your resolution for a healthier New Year are all great ways to improve your well-being. However, drinking energy drinks and sports drinks after such activities can cause irreversible damage to teeth, according to a study by the Academy of General Dentistry. The high acidity levels in sports and energy drinks can erode the outer layer of the tooth, the enamel, and this leaves the teeth vulnerable to damage and decay.
Disturbing study findings
Although young adults consume energy and sports drinks more than adults, they’re not good for anyone’s teeth. These drinks don’t improve sports performance or energy levels and are just as sugary as soda. Drinking sports drinks or energy drinks after a workout bathes the teeth in acid that eats away at enamel. Once enamel is gone, it doesn’t come back and weakening it as an adolescent with energy drinks can lead to a lifetime of oral health issues. The Academy of General Dentistry study examined the acidity levels of 9 energy drinks and 13 sports drinks, and while acidity levels vary by brand and flavor, the results were disturbing across the board. The study found that enamel suffered damage from regular consumption of these drinks after only 5 days of exposure. Energy drinks can cause double the damage as sports drinks.
Finding better ways to hydrate
30-50 percent of teens in the United States consume energy drinks, many of them at least once a day. Some adults consume similar amounts of the drinks, and even moderate intake of sports and energy drinks can have a negative effect on oral health. When these sugar-filled drinks damage tooth enamel, it’s irreversible, and the teeth are then vulnerable to cavities, sensitivity and decay. A better way to hydrate after exercise is by drinking water. If someone consumes an energy or sports drink, it’s a good idea to rinse with water to increase saliva flow and lower the acidity levels in the mouth back to normal. Following energy or sports drink consumption, adults and teens should wait at least an hour to brush because the acid from them can weaken teeth and brushing increases tooth erosion.
Getting healthy is great for your body and your mouth, but sports and energy drinks are not a necessary part of well-being. Contact Creative Dental to find out more ways to protect your teeth during exercise and sports.