Sports Drinks and Cavities

11-year-old
Britt Herina says, “I play baseball and basketball, and if
I’m really thirsty during those, I’ll just drink a
Powerade or a Gatorade.”

Sports drinks…. New research in the journal of General
Dentistry shows they are far worse for your teeth than cola.
Sugar can lead to cavities, but according to the research, something
in sports drinks is worse.

Pediatric dentist Dr. Claudia Tomaselli says, “They’re
loaded with acids, and to the surprise of everybody, the acids
are actually a big part of causing enamel erosion.” She says
acid strips calcium from the enamel of the teeth. “It pretty
much washes away your enamel, and you only have two millimeters
of enamel normally. So you are not allowed to lose much of it,” says
Dr. Tomaselli.

The research is a major shake-up for both parents and dentists.
Mother Cindra Herina says, “I didn’t realize that the
acid content of the sports drink would have so much of an effect
on the enamel of the teeth.” Dr. Tomaselli says, “Anytime
even myself, choosing drinks or food for my kids, I always look
at sugar content. Now all of a sudden, it’s shifted to the
acid content.”

The study shows Propel Fitness Water causes 4 times more enamel
loss than cola. Gatorade, 7 times more. And energy drinks like
Red Bull are seven and a half to eleven times more damaging than
cola.

11 year-old Britt says, “I know that stuff is bad for your
teeth now, so I don’t drink it that often anymore.”

Dentists urge parents to limit sports drinks and cola whenever
possible. When you do have these beverages, use a straw. Drink
water immediately afterwards.

The American Beverage Association says the study is flawed. It contends
there is no one food to blame for dental erosion.

Many dentists and parents are worried that kids are drinking too much soda
and that they are at risk for developing dental caries (cavities). However,
new research shows that sport drinks – most of which are owned by soft
drink companies – may
also contribute to tooth decay. However, the National Soft Drink Association
(NSDA) cites a study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan School
of Public Health, which shows that soft drinks do not cause increased cavities
in children or young adults. The NSDA goes on to say that it is unfair to blame
soft drinks or any single food or beverage as the cause of cavities.

The NSDA points out that many factors contribute to cavities,
including the types of foods that are consumed, the amount of time those foods
are in the mouth and lack of proper oral hygiene.

Cavities are caused by plaque, a build-up of bacteria on the tooth
enamel. Sugar plays a harmful role in the development of cavities because
it provides energy for the bacteria to multiply more quickly. The sugar
is turned into a kind of glue that makes it harder for the bacteria
to be washed away with saliva.

Plaque that does not get washed or brushed away produces acid as it
eats up the sugar. The acid dissolves the minerals that make up the
tooth enamel and a cavity is formed.

The American Dental Association recommends parents use the following
tips to prevent tooth decay:

• Eat a balanced diet and limit the number or between-meal snacks.
  Sugared foods and starches, such as bread, crackers and cereal, cause
  bacteria to flourish.
• If you need a snack, choose nutritious foods such as raw vegetables,
  plain yogurt, chess or a piece of fruit.
• Brush teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush.
• Use toothpaste that contains flouride which helps protect teeth
  from decay.
• Use floss or interdental cleaner to clean between the teeth once
  a day.

For kids who drink soda, sport drinks or other sugary beverages during
the day, the Academy of General Dentistry has these tips to prevent
cavities:

• After drinking sodas or sport drinks, kids should rinse out their
  mouths with water to wash away excess sugar that bacteria consumes
  to create acid.
• Kids should drink soda from a straw to reduce sugar exposure to
  their teeth.
• Drink soda from a can, not a bottle with a replaceable cap, to
  deter sipping throughout the day, which can exacerbate acid attacks.

Academy of General Dentistry
American Dental Association
National Soft Drink Association