If you’re one of the many people who enjoys outdoor activities in the summer, there’s a good chance you’re reaching for sports drinks throughout the day to stay hydrated. But many people don’t realize that sports drinks can take a huge toll on your dental health, including the sugar-free varieties. If you’d like to learn how you can stay hydrated this summer while avoiding frequent trips to the dentist for dental work, keep reading below!
The Impact of Sports Drinks On Your Teeth
Ever since sports drinks hit the market decades ago, they’ve only grown more popular with time, especially in young adults. In fact, the Academy of General Dentistry found that 62% of teens consume at least one sports drink a day. And during the summer when the temperatures rise, consumption is even higher.
While it’s true that these drinks contain electrolytes and, in some cases, vitamins and minerals, they also put your teeth at high risk for cavities because of the other ingredients they contain. This includes not only sugar but also phosphoric or carbonic acid in the sugar-free versions. Unfortunately, these acids are equally harmful because they give your teeth an “acid bath” with each sip.
In fact, sports drinks are thought to cause 3 times more damage to your teeth than soda! And while there’s nothing wrong with improving your athletic performance, you don’t want to do it at the expense of your teeth.
How Can You Lower Your Risk of Cavities From Sports Drinks?
With the preventative measures below, you can protect your teeth without having to give up sports drinks completely. Having said that, remember that it’s still a good idea to reduce the amount you consume overall. Instead, you can reach for plain water with a pinch of sea salt to hydrate and replenish your electrolytes.
- Don’t brush immediately – This is often surprising to people, but since your enamel is temporarily softened by the acids in these beverages, brushing too soon can actually wear it away more easily and do more harm than good. Instead, wait about 20-30 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with plain water– The simple act of swishing and spitting with plain water after you have a sports drink will make a big difference by washing away residual acids from your teeth.
- Chew sugar-free gum– Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates salivary flow and is a great way to neutralize acids and prevent cavities.
- Get regular checkups– Regular checkups with a dentist are a must to have your teeth closely monitored so that cavities and other issues can be found and treated as early as possible.
- Use topical fluoride– Extra topical fluoride will add mineral back into your enamel to strengthen it and prevent cavities. Try using a fluoride or anti-cavity mouthwash twice a day after brushing and flossing.
Sports drinks have surprising consequences and can lead emergency toothaches and other problems. But with these basic guidelines, you can prevent these issues altogether.
About the Author
Dr. Megan Edwards is a family dentist and a graduate of the dental program at the University of Florida. She always strives to help her patients prevent cavities and other problems by encouraging good habits and dietary choices. If you have any questions about sports drinks or your oral health in general, she can be reached via her website.