01 May 2023

Sports drinks were developed to help support recovery for athletes after intense exercise. However, these ‘recovery drinks’ have become a staple for many people who feel they want to replenish water and electrolytes after exercise. Although sports drinks can taste and look good, the truth is that most of us don’t need to drink any fluids other than water when we exercise. The ingredients contained in sports drinks can be damaging to teeth because they contain sugars and acid which can lead to tooth decay and erosion. Often, we are unaware of what changes are occurring in our mouth, which is why regular dental check-ups with your dentist are important.

Sugar and acid in sports drinks?

Drinking the occasional sports drink is unlikely to cause any harm. However, when consumed regularly, can be very damaging to our tooth enamel. The concentration of acids and sugar in sports drinks is generally high and this combination further enhances the risk of tooth damage. The average 600 ml sports drink contains 8.5 teaspoons of sugar as well as acids. This combination creates a low pH, typical of most sports drinks, leading to tooth erosion and damage to the protective tooth enamel. If sports drinks contain caffeine, this can also lead to high levels of energy, increasing the risk of tooth grinding with tooth breakage and loss.

Try to limit your intake of sports drinks to occasions when you really feel you’ve exerted yourself and need something more than water. Weekend sports can be a good time to enjoy a sports drink, rather than regularly drinking them.

The benefits of water for your teeth

Drinking water is the best way to rehydrate and stay well hydrated. The added benefit of water is that most towns and cities fluoridate their water supply. Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to decay. Water is also free, readily available, and excellent for supporting general body health and well-being. If you’re looking for a drink other than still water, the Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommend that sparkling water is generally fine for teeth and far better for teeth than sugary drinks.

Can I still drink sports drinks and make other changes to protect my teeth?

Limit yours or a child’s intake of sports drinks by keeping these as weekend ‘treats’ after sports games. You can always dilute sports drinks with water or ice and encourage your child to drink plain water afterwards. Another protective habit is to use a straw which helps to limit teeth exposure to acidic liquid.

Make a habit of reading the nutrition information on drink labels and look for ingredients that end with ‘ose’ – e.g., glucose, sucrose. This means that sugar, in some form, is included.

While you’re at home you can also make a habit of eating and drinking foods that strengthen and protect your teeth so you can treat yourself on the weekend. Other than water, milk is a great option for a drink, helping to build tooth enamel and reduce decay. As for foods, cheese and crunchy vegetables such as carrots, celery, cucumber, and apples are all low in sugar, protective, and high in water content.

Protecting your teeth sports season.

It’s not just sports drinks that can damage teeth, but trauma as well. If you or your children play sports, it’s always wise to wear a mouthguard for matches, as well as training sessions. Book an appointment and speak with your dentist about getting fitted for a custom-made mouthguard.

References

12 Drinks Ranked: Best And Worst For Your Teeth | Colgate®

https://www.sportsdietitians.com.au/factsheets/fuelling-recovery/dental-health-for-athletes

https://www.teeth.org.au/should-I-fluoridate-my-water

https://www.teeth.org.au/sports-drinks

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/nutrition-and-oral-health/drinks-that-can-harm-your-teeth#

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/nutrition/the-truth-about-sparkling-water-and-your-teeth

Teeth Healthy Foods List: 9 Best Foods For Your Teeth (orthodonticsaustralia.org.au)