I have previously written about how sports and energy drinks can cause tooth erosion see https://blog.teethremoval.com/energy-drinks-cause-tooth-erosion/.
Studies have shown that 30% to 50% of U.S. teens are consuming energy drinks, and up to 62% are consuming at least one sports drink per day.
A study published in the May/June 2012 issue of General Dentistry, the journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, found that an alarming increase in the consumption of sports and energy drinks, especially among adolescents, is causing irreversible damage to teeth — specifically, the high acidity levels in the drinks erode tooth enamel, the glossy outer layer of the tooth.
Poonam Jain, BDS, MS, MPH, lead author of the study says
“Young adults consume these drinks assuming that they will improve their sports performance and energy levels and that they are ‘better’ for them than soda. Most of these patients are shocked to learn that these drinks are essentially bathing their teeth with acid.”
The researchers found damage to enamel became apparent after five days of exposure to sports or energy drinks, although energy drinks showed a significantly greater potential to damage teeth than sports drinks. The damage that these drinks are causing seems to be irreversible to the tooth enamel. Teeth without enamel are more prone to cavities and decay.
AGD spokesperson Jennifer Bone, DDS, MAGD, advises people who consume spots and energy drinks to rinse the mouth with water afterwards. Further, it is recommended that people wait at least an hour after consuming sports and energy drinks before brushing their teeth. This is to minimize the spreading of acid onto the tooth surfaces.
Source: Academy of General Dentistry http://www.agd.org/about/newsmedia/pressreleases/Default.asp?PubID=45&IssID=1499&ArtID=10618#body
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