Make a smile your signature accessory.
—Anonymous
If you drink sports and energy drinks, you’re not alone.
Up to 50% of teens drink energy beverages and over 60% drink at least one sports drink daily. That’s a lot of gulping. The trouble is, along with sugar, these drinks typically contain citric acid. This corrosive combo is like soda on steroids, eating away at your tooth enamel.
Exposing teeth to energy and sports drinks can cause tooth enamel to significantly deteriorate. According to one study, researchers looked at nine popular energy drinks and 13 sports drinks. To each drink, they submerged dental enamel for 15 minutes. Next, they transferred the enamel into artificial saliva where it sat for two hours. This procedure occurred five times each day for a total of five days.
The result: Both types of drinks were bad news for teeth, but energy drinks were doubly so.
To protect your teeth, your best strategy is to avoid sugary, acidic sports and energy drinks. But, if you really want one, rinsing your mouth with water afterwards can help reduce their dental damage.
3 ways to protect your teeth
Acidic, sugary sports and energy drinks can erode tooth enamel, promote tooth decay and rob you of your smile. Here are three ways to fight back:
1. Immediately rinse or chew gum. Rinse out your mouth with water or chew sugarless gum right after you drink. Both actions help increase saliva flow, which helps restore the pH of your mouth to a less acidic, more normal state.
2. Drink water instead. Sports drinks can help replenish electrolytes that you lose in sweat during long, grueling activities, but, if you’re chugging these drinks while just hanging out, you would be better off switching to water.
3. Wait to brush your teeth. Brushing your teeth can actually spread the acidity to other teeth and increase damage. Better to wait about one hour after you drink to brush.
That’s it. Three tips to protect your pearly whites so you can smile happily throughout your day. Why not try them today?
You’ve Got This!
Lorna & Kathleen (The EatingFor Team)
P.S. Like this tip? For more, check out You’ve Got This! 45 Doable Tips for Teens to Feel Good, Look Good & Succeed. Available at IngramSpark, Amazon.com and other online retailers.
FAQs for Sports & Energy Drinks and Teeth
Q: Why are sports and energy drinks bad for your teeth?
A: They often contain sugar and citric acid, which can wear down tooth enamel and increase the risk of decay.
Q: How common is it for teens to drink these beverages?
A: Very common—up to 50% of teens drink energy beverages, and over 60% drink at least one sports drink daily.
Q: What did the study in the copy find about these drinks?
A: It found that both sports and energy drinks harmed enamel, but energy drinks were even more damaging.
Q: What is tooth enamel?
A: Tooth enamel is the hard outer layer of your teeth that helps protect them from damage and decay.
Q: What is one simple thing you can do after drinking a sports or energy drink?
A: Rinse your mouth with water right away to help reduce acidity.
Q: Why should you wait before brushing your teeth?
A: Brushing too soon can spread acidity and increase damage, so it’s better to wait about an hour.
Q: What are three ways teens can protect their teeth?
A: Drink water instead, rinse or chew sugarless gum after drinking, and wait an hour before brushing.