Non-cola drinks, such as energy or sport’s drinks, may be great for your physical health and stamina, but they can be bad for your teeth, specifically increasing your risk of cavities. Researchers studied their effect on oral health and it showed a shocking discovery: the most aggressive dissolution effect on teeth enamel were energy or sport’s drinks, including commercial lemonade.
Over a 13-year-period, the researchers dipped human enamel into a variety of non-cola and cola drinks, sport’s drinks, commercial lemonade, and bottled iced tea and black tea for 14 days. Enamel damage caused by non-cola and sport beverages were up to 11 times greater than cola-based beverages.
Increased sugar intake has the most risk associated with decay. Soft drinks contain phosphoric acid and citric acid, which dissolves tooth enamel; this results 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. Dentists see many teen and adults consuming record amounts of sugar, in the forms of sodas and fruit 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 or energy drinks, but in moderation, since they still have a lot of sugar. If you do consume these types of drinks, drinking through a straw is healthier, and limit the amount you drink. 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 Metairie, Louisiana, contact Stephen Babin DDS for an appointment with Dr. Stephen Babin. You can reach us at 504-887-2428.