Last week, we discussed the importance of protecting teeth from high-impact injuries in athletics. Beverages that are marketed to athletes can present an entirely different hazard to the teeth. Sports and energy drinks have been under fire lately for their extremely high acidity levels. Dr. Deborah Gennero, your Houston family dentist, recommends that you think twice before guzzling any liquid that causes so much damage to your teeth.
Details of the Study
A report published in General Dentistry explained how research was conducted to simulate the effect that sports and energy drinks have on teeth. Samples of tooth enamel were immersed in the beverages for 15 minutes at a time, and then stored in artificial saliva for two hours. The process was repeated to mimic consumption of four beverages a day, five days in a row. Erosion of tooth enamel was immediately apparent, with carbonated energy drinks causing double the damage.
Sports Beverages Damage Tooth Enamel
Thirteen of the most popular sports and energy drinks were studied by researchers. Acid levels varied greatly between brands and flavors, but the potential to damage teeth was across the board. High acidity levels in your mouth will erode tooth enamel. Enamel is the hard outer layer of the tooth, and the hardest substance in our bodies. An essential element in protecting teeth from decay, enamel can be weakened by acid, making teeth more susceptible to cavities. Lead author of the study, Poonam Jain, BDS, MS, MPH, said that instead of getting a boost in performance, all these drinks are likely to do for athletes is give their teeth an acid bath.
One way to ensure that sports and energy drinks, soda, or any acid producing beverages aren’t damaging your teeth is to keep up with your bi-annual dental checkups. If you are due for a regular cleaning and exam, schedule an appointment with Dr. Gennero. You can contact our Houston dentist office at (281)578-6200. We provide preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry to patients from Clear Lake to The Woodlands, including Katy, West Houston, Sugarland, the 77084 zip code, and surrounding communities.
