How energy drinks affect your teeth

Energy drinks are highly acidic and can contribute to tooth decay.

It’s no secret that sugary drinks like sodas and sweet juices can damage your teeth and lead to issues like tooth decay. But did you know that beverages that are particularly acidic can also have a detrimental effect on the condition of your smile? Energy drinks are among those with high acidity levels — read on to find out why these kinds of beverages are best avoided for the sake of your oral health…

How do energy drinks affect your teeth?

Energy drinks tend to be very acidic, which means that they contribute to dental erosion. In fact, when you eat or drink something with a high level of acidity, you run the risk of damaging your enamel because these foods and drinks change the pH of your saliva. In the time it takes for your saliva to return to a normal pH, your teeth are coated in acid that wears away at your enamel. The acid also facilitates the growth of bacteria in the mouth, which increases your chances of developing oral health issue like tooth decay and gum disease.

How can you prevent damage?

The best way to prevent the damage caused by energy drinks is to avoid these types of drinks altogether. Drinking just one a day can potentially cause serious harm to your smile. If you really can’t kick the habit, you can minimise their detrimental effect by drinking them in moderation only; diluting your energy drink with some water; and rinsing your mouth with water afterwards.

It is also advisable that you brush your teeth around an hour after you have had an energy drink — don’t brush immediately after drinking because this can actually spread the harmful acid around your mouth, plus it takes some time for the pH of your mouth to return to normal.

Which other foods and drinks are acidic?

If a food or drink has a pH of 4.6 or lower, it is considered acidic. Some examples of foods and drinks with a high level of acidity that can damage your teeth include carbonated drinks like soft drinks; coffee; alcohol; tomato products like ketchup, pasta sauces, and salsa; certain fruits and berries like cranberries, oranges and lemons; and sour candy.

All of these foods and drinks should be avoided or at least limited as they can contribute to dental erosion, as well as discolouration. Any time that the enamel is weakened by acid, the process of demineralisation occurs — this, in time, can lead to exposure of the dentin, as well as tooth sensitivity.

If you do enjoy an acidic food or drink from time to time, try to consume them with something that has a lower acidity. Some examples include cheese, nuts, bananas, and brown rice. These foods can help to neutralise the acids in your mouth and remineralise the enamel.

How can we help?

At Kitchener Street Dental, we love to help our patients maintain their oral health. To do so, we provide a range of dental services at our modern practice and also provide our patients with all the information and advice they need to take care proper care of their teeth. If you have a question or concern about your lifestyle or diet and its impact on your smile, we encourage you to come in and see us. We will do our best to address your concerns and provide you with the personalised treatment that you require.

We offer the full scope of dental services, including children’s, cosmetic, restorative, general and sedation dentistry. To see the full range of treatments that our team provides, please have a look here.

If you would like to come in and see us, book an appointment here or give us a call on 07 4638 5111.  We are conveniently located in Toowoomba and look forward to welcoming you to our comfortable practice.