Do Energy and Sports Drinks Boost Performance or Harm Teeth?

It is no mystery how dental decay occurs. Bacteria thrive on sugar! When teeth are frequently exposed to sweetened foods and liquids, or those with natural sugars like fruit juice for long periods, in the presence of plaque, tooth decay will form. It is the acid that is produced by the bacteria that will start the demineralization of the enamel, with decay to follow. The more sugar we consume, the quicker the acid production from the bacteria and ultimately the more severe the destruction of the tooth surface. As your child’s teeth develop and the permanent teeth emerge, it takes a while for the enamel to harden completely. This leaves children with newly erupted teeth more susceptible to acid attacks and tooth decay.

WHY ARE ENERGY AND SPORTS DRINKS CONSIDERED A HIGH RISK FOR TOOTH DECAY?

Sugar

Energy and sports drinks contain on average between 56 and 76 grams of sugar. This is the equivalent of at least 14 teaspoons of sugar. This constant exposure to sugar provides cavity-causing bacteria with an abundant food source. As they feast, bacteria produce acids that attack and weaken the tooth enamel – the outer layer of the tooth. This is the first stage in cavity development, which if left untreated, can continue to progress into the deeper layer of the tooth called the dentine.

Acids

All energy drinks, even the sugar-free ones, have incredibly low pH levels, making them highly acidic. Each time your child consumes one of these drinks, their teeth are bathed in acid, resulting in acid erosion. This causes the tooth to become thinner because the acid removes important minerals from the tooth enamel and softens it. Tooth decay is more likely to occur at a low pH.

Another factor regarding the pH of the mouth that should be considered, is that each time we consume food and drink, the pH of the mouth decreases. Typically, an energy drink is not consumed in one go, and the likelihood for the child to sip on the drink for a prolonged period is very high. This means, that during the consumption of such a drink, the pH of the mouth will keep decreasing as long as the beverage is consumed. With every sip, the pH will decrease lower, because there will not be efficient time in between sips for the pH to be restored to a satisfactory level. This will increase the risk of the softening of the enamel, leaving the child’s teeth highly vulnerable to tooth decay.

While some of the minerals are redeposited back into the tooth enamel as acidity in your mouth decreases, repeated exposure to these acids will cause the enamel to weaken and become thinner. When tooth enamel thins, teeth can start to look stained and discoloured since more of the tooth’s natural colour in the dentin, underneath the enamel will shine through. Tooth sensitivity can increase when the enamel is thinner.

Caffeine

Some energy and sports drinks contain caffeine, a natural diuretic, which could ultimately result in calcium loss.  Calcium is needed for the healthy development of teeth and bones. A lack of calcium also affects the jawbone. Caffeine also contributes to dehydration. More dehydration will not benefit the oral cavity when fighting bacteria.

Carbonated energy and sports drinks

Apart from the enormous amount of sugar that sports drinks contain, some are carbonated and contain phosphoric and citric acid. This gives them their tangy taste and acts as a preservative.

Therefore, even sugar-free carbonated drinks cause dental erosion, which leads to tooth sensitivity, chalky appearance, pitting in the teeth and opacity changes. Carbonated drinks enable plaque to produce more acid than sugar alone. It also dries out the mouth.  A dry mouth is a sign that there is less saliva present. Saliva carries antibacterial- and protective properties. Less saliva means a bigger risk for decay. Unlike with carbohydrate and sugar intake, it is not a good idea to brush your teeth after drinking a carbonated drink. The high volumes of acid present in the mouth need to be diluted by saliva for a while, otherwise all that acid is being rubbed into the enamel. Lastly, although less important when we consider the health of the teeth, carbonated drinks are also responsible for staining teeth.

Even though this article points out concerns regarding oral health, we need to look holistically at our well-being, general well-being is just as important. Please consider these general health concerns regarding energy and sports drinks. Sometimes, as with so many other aspects of life, social media and peer pressure might be the reason for some of our actions and behaviour, without really taking time to consider if the juice is even worth the squeeze.

Why do we believe that our children “need” these drinks? When we look at how energetic children are and how they are forever running, jumping and playing around, it might be a good idea to reconsider whether these drinks are a good refreshment. Maybe they are meant for athletes who need bursts of energy while participating in sporting events. Is it perhaps an automatic response to their demands or us thinking: if everybody is doing it, we probably need it too?

EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN

Children who often see their friends drinking these drinks will probably ask for them. They are unaware of these health and oral health risks and the potential harm these drinks pose. Explain the risks and side effects.  Most importantly, model the healthy behaviour you expect of your child.

IF YOUR CHILDREN “HAVE” TO DRINK AN ENERGY OR SPORTS DRINK

Try to consume as little as possible and less frequently. When your children do drink them, try to finish the drink immediately rather than sipping on it slowly over a long period of time.

• Always drink plenty of water afterwards to dilute the acid and sugar.
• A good idea is also to chew some sugar-free gum after consuming these drinks. The chewing of gum will increase the saliva flow, restoring the pH of the mouth quicker and help diluting the sugar and acid. Saliva gives us protective and antimicrobial properties. Chewing gum increases the flow of saliva, and also improves the quality of the saliva.  
• Don’t brush your teeth straight after drinking an energy drink. Your toothbrush will spread the acid into the already softened enamel, causing even more damage. Wait at least for an hour before you brush your teeth.

IN CONCLUSION

Try to drink what nature gave us – water! It will without a doubt quench your thirst. Other options are coconut water, green tea, or infused water. Coconut water is high in electrolytes and minerals and can improve bone health and decrease muscle cramps after exercise. Consider fresh fruit and vegetables as a healthy snack. These are filled with water and fibre that help balance sugars and stimulate saliva production. 

Often energy and sports drinks are consumed for rehydration, especially when it is advertised as containing electrolytes. Unfortunately, the high amounts of sugar in energy and sports drinks pull water out of the body into the bloodstream and increase dehydration. Energy and sports drinks may also contain other ingredients like Taurine that stimulate the kidneys and act as a diuretic. Most energy and sports drinks are more likely to cause a crash-and-burn effect than to rehydrate.