Being an athlete means taking every step to keep your entire body healthy, and that includes your mouth. If you or someone in your family plays a lot of sports, you might think a refreshing sports drink is a great way to stay hydrated during a workout, but did you know that these beverages are actually three times more damaging to the teeth than soda? Here’s why your dentist is recommending that you go easy on the sports drinks this summer.
What Do Sports Drinks Do to My Teeth?
Sports drinks contain a lot of sugar to help maintain high energy levels. As you’re probably aware, consuming too much sugar is a major risk factor for tooth decay. However, there’s another potentially harmful ingredient in many of these drinks: citric acid. This acid can weaken and erode tooth enamel over time.
Many athletes will frequently sip their sports drinks throughout their workouts; as a result, their teeth are constantly being exposed to the sugars and acids. The longer these substances are in contact with the teeth, the more damage they do. Indeed, it’s been found that tooth decay and enamel erosion are two of the most common oral health issues among athletes.
Will Poor Dental Health Affect My Athletic Performance?
You might not realize it, but tooth decay and erosion can ultimately undermine your ability to play sports or engage in other physical activities. Patients with dental problems such as cavities can experience pain and systemic inflammation; they might also have trouble eating or sleeping, and their overall confidence might decrease. Obviously, all of these issues can potentially interfere with an athlete’s performance.
How Can I Protect My Teeth?
Ideally, you should avoid sports drinks altogether; sticking with good old-fashioned tap water is an excellent alternative. Your dentist might be able to make other recommendations on tooth-friendly ways to stay hydrated during extensive physical activity.
If you do continue to use sports drinks, here’s some ways you can help mitigate some of the negative effects:
- Use mouthwashes, lozenges and other dental products that can help remineralize your enamel. High-calcium dairy products are also useful for keeping the teeth strong.
- Drink sports drinks through a straw to minimize contact with the teeth.
- Taking a sip of water can help dilute sugars and acids.
- Wait about 30 to 45 minutes after consuming a sports drink to brush your teeth.
- Do not consume sugary or acidic beverages right before going to sleep.
Athletes need to take care of their teeth the same way they take care of their muscles; they need to always be aware of how their actions will affect their overall health. If you have any questions about your own oral health habits, speak with your dentist; they’ll be able to advise you on good preventive care.
About the Practice
At MoreSMILES Dental Spa, we offer complimentary amenities such as warm blankets and knee pillows to keep our patients comfortable while employing top-of-the-line technology to provide top-quality dental care. We’re happy to advise the athletes in your family on ways they can protect their teeth during workouts. To schedule an appointment at our practice in Covington, visit our website or call (985) 809-7645.