How do energy drinks affect your teeth?

The sales of energy drinks often rise every passing year, thanks to their growing popularity. The younger generation is the largest consumer of energy drinks, accounting for approximately 30% - 50% of the consumers in North America. Although energy drinks are rumored to give you a surge of energy, keep you awake during the night, improve your performance in sports, etc., they are certainly not something your teeth would like.

The ugly truth

It may be a hard fact to digest that no scientific study has proved that energy drinks give you an energy boost. It can be considered as a smart marketing gimmick, but energy drinks are no short of popularity among teens and young adults. Perhaps, energy drinks are preferred over other aerated beverages due to the alleged lesser content of sugar, which again is debatable.

What is dental erosion?

Dental erosion, or in scientific terms - demineralization, is the washing off of the essential minerals from the teeth, which is a direct result of an individual’s eating habits. In some cases, this occurs due to excessive wear of the teeth (abrasion), lack of calcium and fluoride in the teeth, etc. But, demineralization predominantly occurs due to the consumption of acidic foods and drinks, of which energy drinks are major culprits.

What do energy drinks contain?

The two major ingredients in energy drinks that significantly affect the health of your teeth are caffeine and sugar. Most energy drinks contain 4 to 8 teaspoons of sugar per cup (250 ml), which is alarmingly high. The microbes in the mouth feed on the residues left on the teeth after you have the energy drink and convert the sugar into acids. These acids can erode the enamel and lead to demineralization and the onset of cavities. When such acidic drinks are consumed too often, they can take a toll on your oral health and cause permanent damage to the teeth.

What is the solution?

The simplest solution for this is replacing acidic energy drinks with healthier substitutes, such as fresh fruit juices, milk and its products, green tea, protein shakes, or just water. If you do have such beverages, it is best to have them at the end of a meal as the saliva protects the teeth and reduces dental erosion. If your teeth have seemingly eroded a lot, or feel too sensitive when you consume hot and cold foods, consult a dentist and get the condition diagnosed soon.

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