Non-cola drinks, such as energy or sport’s drinks, may be great for your physical health and stamina, but they can be a detriment to teeth. Researchers have studied their effect on oral health and it showed that the most aggressive dissolution effect on teeth enamel were energy or sport’s drinks, especially lemonade.
Over a 13-year-period, the researchers used a variety of non-cola and cola drinks, sport’s drinks, commercial lemonade, and bottled iced tea and black tea for 14 days. They soaked human tooth enamel in these drinks and found a shocking discovery. The enamel damage caused by non-cola and sport beverages were up to 11 times greater than cola-based beverages. In fact, along with lemonade, energy drinks were the worst offenders.
Increased sugar intake has the most risk associated with decay. Soft drinks contain phosphoric and citric acid, which dissolves tooth enamel, resulting in loss of hard tissues from tooth surfaces and erosion. The ADA (American Dental Association) states that acid in food and drink are a major cause of enamel erosion, and sees many teen and adults consuming record amounts of sugar, in the forms of sodas and fruit drinks – seemingly healthy drinks.
To maintain a healthy body and oral health, the dentist may suggest eating a balanced diet and drinking plain water and milk; however, if you want more variety in your diet, cola drinks are better for your teeth than sport’s drinks. If you do consume these types of drinks, drinking through a straw is healthier, and limit the amount you take in. Also, swishing with water after drinking sugar-laden colas can help get the sugar off the teeth.
For more information about sugar and acid and other oral hazards in Sacramento, California, contact Steven J. Brazis, DDS for an appointment with Dr. Steven J. Brazis. You can reach us at 916-731-5151.
