Don't Sport the Sports Drinks This Summer

After a soccer game or long day outside in the yard, a sports drink is all you crave. While they are a great source for rehydration, drinking too much could be a bad thing for your teeth.

According to a 2009 study by the International Association for Dental Research, prolonged consumption of sports drinks – including Gatorade, Powerade, Vitamin Water and Propel Fit Water – can lead to excessive teeth erosion. And not just from the sugar content of these drinks, but also from their high acidity levels.
The study showed that sports drinks can cause significant staining of the teeth and soften a tooth’s enamel.  When the enamel gets softened, bacteria can easily sneak through the weakened tooth shell and cause an infection. Sugar only helps encourage bacterial growth.

The best solution is to limit your child’s intake of sports drinks. But if it’s the only way to refuel your little one, then follow up each drink with a glass of water to rinse away the sugar.  Also, according to Mark Wolff, DDS, chairman of the department of cardiology and comprehensive care at New York University College of Dentistry, wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth after consuming sports drinks.  This will allow the tooth enamel to reharden before taking a tooth brush to them.

Of course water is always the best solution for hydration, but we sometimes can’t resist the sports drinks either. If you can’t get the sports drinks out of your child’s hand this summer, mention their increased intake to your dentist at your next visit. That way, if they do see any issues with the enamel they can recommend an acid-neutralizing toothpaste or give you some other great tips to help combat the problem!