Even outside of the gym, and off of the courts and fields, sports drinks are widely popular among children and adults in the United States. Besides refreshing and flavorful, the general consensus is that sports beverages are healthier, and energy drinks can provide additional boosts of energy to increase physical performance. Because they’re conceived as being “better” choices, many people are shocked to learn that excessive consumption of sports and energy drinks has led to extensive damage to their teeth.
The Sports and Energy Drinks Trend
The most popular sports and energy drink advertisements would have you believe that their products are better even than water when you need to rehydrate. Unfortunately, that encourages many people to consume such drinks as though they were water, spending billions of dollars a year on sports and energy beverages, with a large percentage of people drinking more than one a day. Since they’re marketed mainly to teens and adolescents, the popularity of sports and energy drinks poses a particular problem to younger patients with newly-developed, or still-developing, permanent teeth.
What Sports Drinks Do to Teeth
In addition to electrolytes and other energizing, rehydrating ingredients (and in the case of energy drinks, caffeine), popular sports drinks also contain large amounts of sugar and equally-high levels of acidity. For teeth, this means each sip of a sports drinks bathes your teeth in acids that weaken and destroy their enamel. The sugar also feeds oral bacteria that produce more acid to continue the attack long after you’ve finished your beverage. Over-consumption, and therefore excessive acid attacks, can leave your teeth notably weaker, and increase your risks of issues such as;
- Cavities, which form from bacteria that slip past enamel and infect your tooth
- Tooth damage due to the decreased protection from compromised tooth enamel
- Dark, noticeable spots on your teeth where enamel is weak, or where a cavity is developing
- Increasing tooth sensitivity
- And more
By contrast, water offers an equal amount of hydration with more satisfying results, and without placing your teeth unnecessarily at risk.
To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling (203) 878-6699. The specialists at Sensitive Care Cosmetic & Family Dentistry proudly serve patients and their families in Milford, Stratford, West Haven, New Haven, and all surrounding communities.