Haymarket Dentist Explains the Danger Sports and Energy Drinks can Pose to Your Teeth

These days it seems everyone is drinking a sports drink or an energy drink, whether to simply make it through the day or to power through a workout. However, as your Haymarket dentist can attest, these drinks can wreak havoc on your teeth, especially when consumed in large amounts.

Neither of these drinks were made for regular consumption. Energy drinks are meant to give you a little boost in the middle of the day or when you are otherwise feeling run down. Sports drinks are meant to help you recover and keep your body energized and hydrated during intense activity. These are drinks are not meant for you to drink them causally or even daily. Drinking one or more energy drinks or sports drinks a day can damage your teeth over time according to your dentist in Haymarket.

Sports drinks and energy drinks alike have high levels of acidity which wears away your tooth enamel. Regular consumption of drinks with high acidity makes your teeth more prone to cavities, sensitivity, and discoloration.

Many energy and sports drinks also contain sugar which feeds the bacteria that causes cavities and leads to tooth decay. The combination of acid and sugar makes teeth particularly vulnerable. While the acid weakens the enamel, sugar helps the bacteria thrive and hastens tooth decay.

If you do choose to drink energy and sports drinks be sure to take proper care of your teeth. First of all, do not make drinking either of these liquids a daily habit. While sports drinks can quench your thirst they should never be used as a replacement for water. If you drink these drinks be sure to drink it all at once rather than slowly sipping on it throughout the day. When you are done brush your teeth. If you can’t brush your teeth at least rinse your mouth out or chew some sugarless gum. Chewing sugarless gum increases the production of saliva which can counteract the acidity of the drinks.

Make sure you schedule regular visits to your dentist in Haymarket, VA to keep your teeth healthy and take care of any problems that can be caused by consuming sports drinks or energy drinks. Regular cleanings and checkups are the best way to prevent tooth decay and maintain good oral health. Additional advice on caring for your teeth can be found through the American Dental Association.

If you would like more information on finding a cosmetic dentist, reach out to the helpful staff at Lifetime Smiles Dental. We are here to help you with all of your dental and oral health care. Call (571) 248-7389 to make an appointment today.

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