We previously discussed the harm that soft drinks can do to your teeth. Of course, you have likely known that these beverages can wreak havoc on your smile. However, sports drinks can cause similar — if not more — damage, as well. While the drinks themselves aren’t necessarily worse for you, their image, thanks to marketing, seems as if they provide healthy refueling benefits. Sure, they do provide some benefit for the active among us, but they can also cause quite a bit of harm. In today’s blog, your Newport Beach, CA, dentist discusses the negative aspects of sports drinks, and why you need to monitor your consumption of them.
A Major Sugar Rush
Even though sports drinks are often touted as a healthier alternative to sodas, their sugar content often out ways the benefits provided by electrolytes. While your body does need minerals like sodium and potassium to refuel after strenuous workouts, they can come at a cost. Major brands of these drinks also contain an immense amount of sugar, which can feed a certain type of bacteria that lives in your mouth. Bacteria have many helpful purposes in your teeth, but this particular kind consumes sugar and creates acid that eats away at your enamel.
Admittedly, sports drinks typically contain less sugar than sodas, but they can become more nefarious when consumers view them as healthy, leading to frequent consumption. If you do drink a lot of these beverages and don’t take proper care of your teeth, you could experience significant decay that can ultimately lead to needing restorative or cosmetic procedures to fix any damage incurred.
Acid Harms Your Teeth, Too
In addition to the damage done by sugar, the high content of citric acid can also harm your teeth and strip your enamel. When you lose this outer layer of your teeth, they become more susceptible to cavities — the most prevalent form of tooth decay. This issue is typically solved by a dental filling, but if the decay worsens enough, you could very well need an extraction to remove the tooth. While this is certainly a worst-case scenario, it is important to keep in mind when consuming sports drinks; you will want to be extra vigilant in your tooth brushing habits. Even if decay doesn’t become this bad, acid can also discolor your teeth to the point where you could need professional teeth whitening or porcelain veneers to feel better about the brightness of your smile. We are by no means saying not to drink these beverages. Rather, we believe you should be as well-informed as possible in your choices.
Contact Us To Learn How We Can Fix Tooth Damage
Whether your teeth are severely decayed or are discolored from sports drinks, we can help fix any damage done. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call Balboa Dental Surgery in Newport Beach, CA, today at 949-630-0143.
Recent Comments