According to the American Dental Association, or ADA, consumption of soft drinks, including carbonated beverages, sports drinks and fruit juices, have increased by 500 percent over the past 50 years. Various studies report conflicting information regarding the relationship between sports drinks and dental erosion. Drinking any high-sugar beverage, including fruit juices, sodas and sports drinks can lead to dental erosion or cavities if consumed over long periods of time and allowed to remain on the teeth.
Ohio State University Study
In the April 2002 issue of the journal "Caries Research," T. Mathew and associates presented a study of 304 university athletes. Almost 92 percent of the athletes consumed sports drinks, of which 36.5 percent were found to have tooth erosion. According to the study, there was no association between dental erosion and using sports drinks, quantity, length of use and frequency of consumption.
Expert Insight
Sports drinks contain low pH levels and low fluoride levels. Both factors have erosive potential on the teeth, according to the "British Journal of Sports Medicine."
Another study reported in the "Journal of General Dentistry," found that enamel damage caused by non-cola and sports beverages was three to 11 times greater than cola-based drinks, with energy drinks and bottled lemonades causing the most damage. This study continuously exposed teeth to a variety of sports drinks, energy drinks, fitness waters as well as non-cola beverages and lemonade for 14 days or the equivalent of about 13 years of normal beverage consumption.
Causes
According to the ADA, dental erosion is the loss of tooth enamel by a chemical process without bacterial involvement. The acid in foods and beverages is thought to be the cause. The type of acid, calcium chelating properties, temperature and exposure time are also factors that may determine the amount of erosion caused by some foods and beverages.
Prevention/Solution
The ADA suggests drinking beverages through a straw positioned toward the back of your mouth. Choosing sports drinks with added fluoride, calcium and phosphorus can also reduce the amount of erosion on your teeth. Alternate drinking sports drinks and water or milk or rinse your mouth after drinking sports drinks to reduce the amount of erosion.
American Dental Association Policy
While some research suggests possible enamel erosion due to frequent consumption of carbonated and/or acidic soft drinks, that science is preliminary, according to the ADA. The association encourages adults and children to eat well-balanced, healthy meals and snacks for good physical and oral health.
References
- American Dental Association: October 2001 Joint Report of the American Dental Association
- Caries Research: Relationship Between Sports Drinks and Dental Erosion in 304 University Athletes
- "British Journal of Sports Medicine;" Sports Drinks Hazard to Teeth; A. Milosevic; 1997
- Family Gentle Dental Care: Sports Beverages Cause More Irreversible Damage to Teeth Than Soda
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