Today, more and more people are relying on energy drinks to give them the boost they need to get through their day. Although energy drinks are effective at boosting energy for short periods of time, there are many negative side effects to these products. If you’re concerned about the health of your teeth, you need to understand how these products affect your teeth. Here are a few of the negative side effects energy drinks have on your oral health.

Erosion

Energy drinks and many sports drinks erode tooth enamel severely. This happens because these products contain a large amount of sugar, caffeine, and acidic ingredients. Any time you consume food or drink a drink, some of the residue stays on your teeth. Your saliva can help to balance out the pH levels in your mouth but an overabundance of these ingredients is hard for your body to naturally process. Over time, the enamel is weakened and this can lead to a host of problems including cavities.

Bacteria

Many energy drinks contain a large amount of sugar. When teeth are exposed to too much sugar, your mouth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Bacteria will eat into the tooth enamel causing a cavity. Cavities are always progressive meaning they get worse over time. The larger a cavity becomes, the weaker the tooth will become. This usually results in the need for dental work or the loss of a tooth.

Extreme cases of tooth decay can also lead to gum disease. Gum disease shows up as inflamed gums. If the problem is left untreated it can become severe and result in receding gum lines. Did you know that, according to the New York Post, receding gums are the third most common dental insecurity? Avoiding energy drinks can help you to avoid this confidence hit!

Acidity

As mentioned, an energy drink has high levels of caffeine and low pH levels. This creates a high acidity when in contact with teeth. This can contribute to enamel dissolution at two times higher rate than compared with other types of drinks. Loss of enamel could lead to tooth loss and would require the help of a cosmetic dentist to correct.

These are just a few of the negative side effects that energy drinks can have on your teeth. In addition to these side effects, there are also negative side effects on your health as well. It’s recommended by doctors and dentists, to discontinue the use of these products. If you’re looking for a cosmetic dentist near you, please contact the dental team at Phillips & Schmitt Dentistry today.