Popular sports drinks can damage teeth

People with active lifestyles sometimes rely on sports or energy drinks to recharge or rehydrate after exercising. However, regular long-term use of these drinks may cause irreversible damage to dental enamel, the thin, outer layer of the tooth that helps preserve the tooth's structure and prevent decay.

Sports drinks vs. cola drinks

According to a study cited in General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's clinical, peer-reviewed journal, enamel damage caused by non-cola sports drinks was up to 11 times greater than the damage caused by cola-based drinks.

In the study, enamel from cavity-free molars and premolars was exposed to a variety of popular beverages, including energy drinks, fitness water, sports drinks, cola and non-cola drinks, such as bottled lemonade and canned iced tea.

The tooth enamel was steeped in the drinks for a total of 14 days, and the teeth were weighed every 24 to 48 hours. The solution's acidity was checked, and the solutions were changed daily. The exposure time was intended to simulate the effects of normal beverage consumption over about 13 years.

The result of the test was significant enamel damage from all the beverages tested, including (from greatest to least amount of damage): lemonade, energy drinks, sports drinks, fitness water, iced tea and cola.

What was the reason for the increased damage from sports and energy drinks? Most cola-based drinks contain one or more acids, commonly phosphoric and citric acids, which contribute to enamel damage. Sports and energy drinks, however, contain other additives and organic acids that further advance dental erosion. Organic acids erode dental enamel because of their ability to break down calcium, which strengthens teeth and prevents gum disease.

What can you do?

The best way to avoid potential dental enamel damage is to exercise caution when drinking sports, energy and similar beverages over a long period of time. Keep your intake lower by alternating sports drinks with water or low-fat milk after a workout to preserve tooth enamel and protect your teeth from decay.

The oral health information on this website is intended for educational purposes only. You should always consult a licensed dentist or other qualified health care professional for any questions concerning your oral health.