Dental Health Dental Health Basics

Sports Drinks Could Damage Your Teeth

Summary & Participants

People fond of sports drinks may want to evaluate just how many they consume and consider diluting the drinks with water. According to researchers, the acid levels and sugar content in these drinks can lead to unexpected dental health problems.

Medically Reviewed On: July 21, 2009

Webcast Transcript

Dr. Dan: I’m Dr. Bruce Dan.

We all know about some of the health risks associated with sports – sore muscles, banged-up joints, even broken bones. But what about wearing away your teeth?

In a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, a dentist reports the case of a 23 year-old marathon runner who lost the enamel on his upper teeth. At first the dentist was puzzled. The runner brushed his teeth regularly and had few fillings. But further questioning revealed the probable culprit – sports drinks consumed before and after every workout.

The dentist went on to test eight leading sports drinks, finding that all had acid levels so high they can erode tooth enamel. And that’s not all; the drinks also contain large amounts of sugar, which makes them stick to the teeth longer.

Researchers say the findings don’t mean that athletes should avoid sports drinks altogether, but they suggest diluting the drinks with water and then using a straw to get the liquid past your teeth as quickly as possible.

With Doctor’s Corner, I’m Dr. Bruce Dan.