Ask the Dentist!
Are Energy Drinks Bad for Your Teeth?
Everyone knows that soft drinks are bad for your teeth as they can cause enamel erosion and decay, but how about energy drinks? Although not as much research has been done on energy drinks, what has been found up to this point may surprise you.
Energy and sports drinks are becoming increasingly more popular with young adults on the go. Most think they are a better alternative to soft drinks, but they could be wrong. A recent study found that most popular energy drinks lower the ph in the mouth, which leads to softening of tooth enamel. With repeated exposure, enamel loss will be permanent, causing teeth to be sensitive and much more prone to decay. In addition, enamel does not grow back, so fillings or crowns may be needed to repair the damage done by repeated acid exposure.
So, if you must drink energy or sports drinks, here are a few tips to minimize damage to your enamel. First, drink, don’t sip. This will limit the time teeth are exposed to acid. Next, rinse your mouth out with water. This will remove the excess acid still in your mouth. Chew sugarless gum. This will stimulate saliva that contains buffering agents that help neutralize excess acid. Finally, don’t brush for at least one hour after consuming a drink. The combination of acid, which has softened the enamel, and the brushing action with toothpaste can speed up enamel loss by literally brushing it away. Waiting to brush will give time for the ph in the mouth to return to normal and limit the loss of enamel.