Energy drinks have been on the rise, taking up more and more space on grocery store shelves. These drinks promise to jump-start your day, give you more energy and make you feel more alert. However, they also do a lot more than that. They also do a good job of stripping your teeth of enamel.
Many of these energy drinks are loaded with citric acid. In addition to this, they are full preservatives and sugar. While enamel loss, tooth decay and sensitivity cannot be blamed entirely on the energy drinks, they can wreak havoc on the health of your teeth and gums, especially when consumed in more than moderation. Over time, the high acidity levels in the drinks erode the tooth enamel. Damage to the enamel is irreversible and without the protection of enamel, teeth become overly sensitive, prone to cavities and more likely to decay.
What can you do to protect your teeth?
If you like to have an energy drink occasionally, there are a few things you can do to protect your teeth-
- Drink through a straw
- Don’t hold the drink in your mouth before swallowing
- Rinse your mouth with water immediately after drinking the energy drink. Water helps both to neutralize the acid and to increase the production of saliva.
- Chew sugar-free gum immediately after to increase saliva production
- Do not brush your teeth straight after drinking an energy drink. Wait at least an hour because to combination of the acid and brushing will further damage the tooth enamel.
The best advice is to refrain from drinking energy drinks altogether. One of the best hydrators is water. Water is a natural energy-booster and hydrator and it does not contain any calories.