Energy Drinks Destroy Your Teeth

Man, you drink some energy beverage and you work like a machine. At least, this is what advertising says. Science presents another story about drinking too much caffeine. And a new research published in the journal "General Dentistry" shows that energy drinks can make your teeth look like those of a meth consumer. And the consume of energy drinks is continuously rising...

Previous studies showed that acidity in beverages like soda can cause tooth erosion, due to the effect of acid on the teeth enamel, which can eventually cause teeth decay. No matter if diet or regular, ice tea or root beer, when drunk daily, they are important factors in provoking the erosion of the teeth enamel.

The pH (the measure of acidity) level of soft drinks is not the only element involved in this intricate process. Beverages can have a "buffering capacity," an ability to neutralize acidity.

The research team investigated acidity levels of five popular drinks. The lowest buffering capacity was found in "high energy" and sports drinks, making them the strongest potential teeth destroyers.

These drinks are increasingly consumed by adolescents and young adults, who put their teeth under a permanent attack of these acids, fact aggravated by the porosity of the enamel in immature teeth. Even specialists say that, nowadays, they treat more patients in their teens to 20s for tooth erosion.

"They drink a great deal more sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks. The results, if not treated early and if extensive, can lead to very severe dental issues that would require full mouth rehabilitation to correct," said Dr. Raymond Martin, spokesperson of the Academy of General Dentistry.

Dentists even come with some advices:

- Use a straw and position it at the back of the mouth in order to avoid the contact of the liquid with your teeth.

- Wash the mouth after consuming acid drinks.

- The best option is to limit the consume of sodas, sports and energy drinks.