How Sports Drinks Affect the Oral Health of Athletes

Being healthy is an athlete’s highest priority. Athletes often utilise dieticians and physical therapists to stay in top condition. However, many are so focused on the condition of their bodies that they sometimes overlook the health of their teeth.

Sports drinks, an essential beverage for some active people, cause more damage to teeth than other sugary drinks. Though consuming these types of drinks can improve your performance, it’s crucial to consider the risks you are taking with your dental health, as well. If you are fond of drinking sports drinks, know the facts before you take another sip.

How Sports Drinks Affect Your Teeth

There are three biggest dental health issues found among athletes, according to the study conducted by British Journal of Sports Medicine. These are tooth decay, gum disease, tooth erosion and infected wisdom tooth.

Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth use sugars to create holes (or cavities) in teeth. In addition, acids from sports drinks wear away the tooth surface (the enamel) over time, resulting to enamel erosion. The acids remove the minerals and weaken the tooth. Because of this, the tooth becomes hypersensitive to hot and cold food, and the teeth start to look different as the enamel thins.

The sugars and acids from sports drinks can also result in reversible and irreversible damage to teeth. If you consume acidic drinks frequently, you can wear away the enamel permanently, exposing the deeper layer of the tooth. This leads to irreversible tooth damage. However, the damage from acids is reversible. Your saliva can rebuild your tooth by putting back the lost minerals in enamel if the damage is not too extensive.

Athletes Prone to Dental Health Issues

Athletes are particularly vulnerable to dental problems. Why is this? One of the reasons is the supplements and beverages they consume. They commonly used intra-workout supplements, carbohydrate gels and sports/energy drinks to maintain their energy level during training and exercise.

Sports/energy drinks contain sugars that impact teeth more than saliva. They also promote bacterial acid production in the mouth; consequently, putting the teeth at a higher risk for decay. Many intra-workout supplements and sports drinks are too acidic for teeth. Athletes have more frequent exposure to sugary products and acidic drinks than ordinary people, making them even more vulnerable to tooth decay and other dental anomalies.

Dehydration is also common among athletes. Having decreased salivary flow makes people more prone to tooth decay. Without sufficient saliva in the mouth, the teeth cannot protect themselves against harmful oral bacteria.

What Your Dentist Can Do

Your dentist can determine if your teeth have suffered from erosion. They can create a treatment plan to start protecting your teeth and improving your oral health. Here are a few things your dentist can do:

Improve your flossing and brushing techniques
Recommend special toothpastes and mouthwashes to improve dental homecare
Repair damaged teeth
Apply protective gels and varnishes to your teeth

Prevent Tooth Decay and Erosion

Sports drinks contain acids and sugars that are harmful to your teeth. If you have an active lifestyle and frequently consume sports drinks as part of your workout, we recommend consulting your dentist so you won’t damage your teeth over time and to prevent the development of tooth enamel erosion. We have the knowledge and skills to keep your oral health in optimal condition while enjoying the activities you love. Your Melbourne dentist at Q1 Dental will take care of your smile, while you take care of your wellbeing.

Our Q1 Dental practice is conveniently located in St. Kilda Road Towers at 1 Queens Road in the heart of the St. Kilda Road business precinct. We are close to public transportation and only minutes from Melbourne CBD.

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