Beverages designed to help replace nutrients lost during sports or exercise can help your body recover, but they can also cause irreversible damage to your teeth. We’re in the business of protecting smiles, so we want all of our patients to know the harmful effects sports drinks can have on their pearly whites.
Surprise! It’s Not the Sugar.
Usually, when we talk about foods & drinks that cause decay, we’re dissing the sugar content. And while it’s still completely true that sugary foods & drinks lead to oral health problems like cavities, when we talk about sports drinks, the thing we’re more concerned with is acid.
Many popular sports drinks are very acidic, & that’s a problem. The acid in these beverages damages the protective enamel. Any damage done to the enamel is always a concern because once enamel is gone, it’s gone, & teeth are left exposed to even more problematic elements like bacteria, sugar, & even more acid. This causes the problem to become worse since bacteria feed on sugar & then produce even more acid, snowballing the damage into a neverending cycle.
The Damage
Besides increased risk for decay & cavities & the need for fillings, if problems are left untreated, more in-depth treatment like root canals may be necessary. If acid is left to continually eat away at enamel, the tooth’s roots may become infected, & that can hurt. Treatment, however, isn’t as painful as you may think. Root canals actually relieve the pain, not cause it. More so, if a tooth has been treated several times, the need for a dental crown or onlay may be necessary to strengthen the tooth & prevent the need for repeated fillings.
It’s best to seek the opinion of a dentist if you notice any symptoms of possible decay including:
- Sensitivity to heat, cold, or sweets
- Discoloration
- Toothaches
- Pain when biting
- Holes or pits on the tooth surface
Maintaining regular dental appointments at our dental office in Cherry Hill, Gibbsboro, Haddon Heights, Linwood, or Washington Township is the best way to catch any damage to the enamel early to decrease the need for more advanced treatment. Dental cleanings & exams at least twice a year are typically recommended, so make sure you’re keeping up with your dental checkups. If it’s been longer than six months since your last visit, call to schedule an appointment today.