Sports Drinks: What you need to know !

Many athletes use sports drinks to replenish water and electrolytes consumed during their physical activity. While they do have their purpose they should be used with caution. Many sports drinks contain high sugar and high acidity levels that can be very damaging to your teeth.

West Bowmanville Dentist

When should someone use sports or energy drinks?

 Sports drinks contain a combination of water, sugar and electrolytes that help replenish you after prolonged exercise. Water is often the best choice for hydration but in cases where the exercise is intense and lasts over an hour sports drinks are a useful alternative. For example in sports games where a player is under heavy hockey or football equipment and especially in hot or humid conditions.

 When is a sports drink not recommended?

 For regular consumption, sports drinks are as harmful as soda. They contain high sugar levels and high acidity levels that together can wear away your teeth enamel and increase your risk for cavities. Sports drinks should not be used as an alternative to water unless during high levels of activity.

 How can we protect our teeth when we do consume sports drinks?

 The best way to protect your teeth after a sports drink is to rinse with water or chew sugar free gum. Both of these will stimulate your body to produce more saliva which will in turn help bring down the high acidity level in your mouth back to normal. Never brush your teeth immediately after consuming a sports drink or any acidic drink, as this will only cause more tooth damage. Brushing your teeth when there is a high level of acidity coating the teeth will create more tooth enamel erosion.

It is also important to remove your sports guard before drinking the sports drinks. Otherwise some of the beverage can remain inside the guard and your teeth will effectively be bathing in the acidic liquid for a prolonged period of time. When drinking its best also to avoid swishing the drink around as the least amount of contact it has with your teeth the better.

 Take away message:

 Sports drinks are not a replacement for water and should be only used when really needed during high levels physical activity. They are not meant for recreational consumption when not playing sports or when doing only light exercise.

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