Are energy drinks bad for teeth?

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Some argue that energy drinks are a better alternative to soda, but that's not true for oral health. Because consuming highly acidic energy drinks on a regular basis can cause serious tooth damage.

1. What is an energy drink?

Energy drinks, also known as energy drinks, are widely marketed as products that enhance physical performance, alertness and energy levels. Ingredients found in energy drinks include taurine, caffeine, guarana, and quite a bit of sugar.
In a Canadian retail sales report on energy and sports drink consumption, retail sales of energy and sports drinks are expected to reach more than 1 billion US dollars by 2022. In this category, the best-selling beverage in 2022 is forecasted to be a functional drink.

2. Are energy drinks bad for teeth?

According to a new study, energy drinks can damage tooth enamel, increasing the risk of tooth decay. Energy drinks have an adverse effect on oral health due to their high sugar content and high acidity. Drinks containing a lot of sugar and acids can cause irreversible damage to tooth enamel, making teeth more susceptible to tooth sensitivity and decay. Energy drinks will essentially wear down your enamel since it's a highly acidic liquid. When in contact with the enamel surface for a long time, this acid can weaken the outer layer of the enamel. Besides, the bacteria naturally present in your mouth consume the sugar and the byproduct is acid. The acid produced by the bacteria's activity comes back and has a bad effect on tooth enamel. When there is a lot of sugar in the oral cavity, the bacteria will also multiply and become overactive, leading to the risk of tooth decay.

3. What drink harms teeth?

If you are wondering what drinking is bad for your teeth, here is the answer. Besides energy drinks, there are still many drinks that are harmful to oral health:
Soda: Soda is bad for overall health and also for oral health. Several studies have found a link between tooth decay and soda consumption. Because highly acidic soda can damage your enamel. Even sugar-free sodas are not as good for your teeth as you might think because they contain a lot of citric acid and phosphoric acid. Soft drinks: Soft drinks contain a lot of sugar, acids and therefore have the ability to cause tooth decay and erode tooth enamel. Alcohol: All alcoholic beverages are bad for your oral health. Alcohol causes dehydration, dry mouth and promotes stain formation. Alcoholic beverages reduce saliva flow which can cause serious problems over time such as tooth decay and gum disease. Coffee: Coffee makes teeth dull. Also, like with wine, coffee makes teeth also reduce the amount of saliva, causing dryness. Coffee is even worse for your oral health if you add sugar to it.

4. Advice for energy drinkers

Even one glass of energy drink a day can be harmful. If consumers cannot completely give them up, the best advice is to minimize their use and rinse their mouth with water after taking them. Besides, you can also dilute them to reduce acidity, but some people will not like this method because it can affect the taste of energy drinks.
Don't brush your teeth immediately after drinking an energy drink as this can spread the acid around. The mouth takes about 30 minutes to bring the pH back to normal. Therefore, wait 1 hour after drinking the energy drink for the acid to be neutralized, then brush your teeth. You can also opt for natural alternatives to energy drinks. Some alternatives to consider are:
Green Tea : Contains natural caffeine in small amounts; Green juices and smoothies: Try using natural sources of B vitamins in smoothies like parsley, kale, and spinach; Water: You may experience low energy levels as your metabolism slows down. The best way to combat this is to drink plenty of water. Energy drinks can have a significant effect on your overall oral health. Therefore, the best way is to limit them and replace them with energy-rich natural drinks. You should also visit the dental clinic every 3-6 months for professional cleaning and dental care.

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Reference sources: webmd.com, dentalchoice.ca