February 05, 2009
Sports drinks and teeth
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The ramifications of the use of acidic sports drinks on a regular basis will have far reaching consequences for dental health of this generation of athletes.
Most sports drinks are acidic in nature and thus tip the balance of even the healthiest mouths into a state where the enamel will dissolve. This is particularly serious when they are drunk when the body is already dehydrated after a training session. Being dehydrated means that our saliva flow decreases and the lovely buffering affect of our saliva is gone. If our mouth remains in an acidic state for prolonged periods of time then calcium and phosphate is lost from the enamel and the surface becomes soft and is abraded and dissolved away. As with any erosive process it is the chronic and long term use of these products that will leave to changes over time. I am seeing many athletes in their early twenties with significant reduction in enamel and they are on the whole unaware of these changes.
So how much is too much?. Sports drinks should only be used after or during extended training sessions (over 90 minutes) and the player should be well hydrated with water before hand. Water should be the primary source for re-hydration.
What can be done to reverse the effects?
The use of recaldent products will help reserve the effects of the acids however they must be used regularly. They cannot rebuild the enamel but can put the calcium and phosphate back into the tooth surface. These products include GC mousse, and recaldent chewing gum.
If you have any queries please contact Dr Caroline Downing at contact us
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