Many adolescents rely on the energy and caffeine boost they receive when drinking sports drinks. Kids walk into schools each morning chugging Celsius, Monster, Red Bull, Bang and Rockstar in an effort to stay attentive in class; interns sip on 5 Hour Energy cans to meet deadlines, and athletes guzzle energy fuel to help enhance their performance. But are they really a “healthier” option, as they are advertised?
Not exactly. The two major ingredients found in energy and sports drinks are caffeine and sugar. These pop replacement drinks often contain 4-8 teaspoons of sugar or sugar-like substances. What’s left on the teeth after drinking becomes acidic, eating away at tooth enamel, causing cavities and breaking down the health of the mouth. Some sports, energy and health drinks are so acidic that they are as corrosive as stomach acid and battery acid. Like with anything, moderation is key; if a habit of consuming these drinks occurs, oral health suffers, wearing away the enamel on teeth and causing irreparable damage. The more young adults can stick to water and less acidic liquids on a daily basis, the better the long-term results.
If you or someone in your household has been consuming sugary drinks, it’s time to make an appointment and check in in your teeth.