Sports Drinks Are Good for You, Right?

Well…not necessarily. Everyone has seen professional athletes drinking sports drinks and talking about how they help hydrate and increase endurance. But no one mentions their teeth and the effect of the sports drink on teeth.

Sports drinks are sugary and acidic, which is a combination that wreaks havoc on teeth. In fact, the acid, sugar, and other additives in sports drinks combine to erode the tooth’s surface. This weakens the enamel that protects teeth from bacteria, which can lead to staining, sensitivity to heat/cold, and decay.

Dr. Mark Wolff, Professor, and Chairman of the Department of Cariology & Comprehensive Care at New York University College of Dentistry led a study to find the effect of sports drinks on teeth. The findings were presented at the 2009 meeting of the International Association for Dental Research. “To prevent tooth erosion, consume sports drinks in moderation, and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth, to allow softened enamel to re-harden,” Dr. Wolff advised. “If you frequently consume sports drinks, ask your dentist if you should use an acid-neutralizing re-mineralizing toothpaste to help re-harden soft enamel.” If you brush before that, the softened enamel is more susceptible to the abrasives in toothpaste.

While marketing and sports professionals have made sports drinks seem like a healthy alternative to soda, the amounts of sugar in them are not much different. Think carefully about alternative ways to hydrate – plain water or water with a splash of juice would be better for your teeth.