The Ugly Truth About Energy Drinks & Your Smile

With so much to do everyday, we can’t help but sometimes rely on refreshing (and highly caffeinated!) drinks that boost our energy, and keep us going! But what impact can these beverages have on your smile?

Chances are you’ve already gotten the message that overly sweet drinks like juice and soda can lead to tooth decay. But what about highly acidic ones, such as your favorite energy drink?

While you might think you’re doing yourself a favor by replacing sodas with sports drinks – the truth of the matter is, they aren’t a smile-friendly choice either.

Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body – significantly harder than bone! But that rock hard substance in the human body can be damaged, sometimes irreversibly, by regular consumption of highly acidic drinks.

How, you ask?

These drinks can send the pH balance in your saliva plummeting – creating a highly acidic environment, leading to tooth decay and other oral health problems.

Dental experts agree that regular consumption of energy drinks can cause irreversible erosion or damage to your teeth. Even worse? The hyperactive energy produced by consumption of these drinks, can cause people to grind their teeth – causing tooth breakage and loss.

What do we suggest instead? Water, the worlds best energy drink! You may not realize it, but dehydration is one of the main reasons we experience a drop in energy – and super acidic, sweet drinks can dehydrate our bodies even more. If drinking water is simply too boring, spruce it up by adding fruit slices, or some of your favorite berries. The fruit provides some carbohydrates and vitamins for an extra nutritional punch!

If you must reach for that energy drink for a long day, or big sports game – try rinsing your mouth with water after, helping to neutralize the acidic environment you’ve created for your teeth and gums.

To healthy, happy smiles!

– Dr. Ed Lowe Centre for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry