Dentists Warn Against the Constant Consumption of Sports Drinks

Many athletes are in great shape physically, but their mouths might be a different issue because they regularly consume sports drinks. While many people might assume that this type of beverage is better than sugary juice or soda, there are a few reasons that it tends to actually erode the teeth, leading to dental issues. Consider the reasons to limit this kind of drink in your diet; dentists will advise you the same.

Athletes tend to drink these beverages because they have beneficial ingredients that even water lacks, allowing them to both quench their thirst and also replenish the electrolytes lost through sweat. Thus, this product can be helpful. However, it has been found that sports drinks tend to erode the teeth over time, causing them to slowly dissolve. Clearly, this is not good news for the mouth, as athletes could eventually lose teeth over this problem. In addition, the drinks act as acid to teeth, allowing bacteria to grow and cause decay despite the presence of destructive acid. Of course, only the bacteria resistant to acid can thrive in this environment.

Those involved in sports may continue to use these drinks despite the recent findings, as they may find their benefits outweigh their drawbacks. For example, they can replace minerals lost from the body through sweat, making them less likely to feel dizzy and dehydrated. Not only is this good for an athlete's general health, but it also improves their performance. This can lead to more success, and in turn, more money. For these reasons, the typical athlete is not likely to take dentists' recommendations about this kind of drink into consideration.

Thus, some dentists focus instead of getting athletes to drink their sports drinks a little differently than usual, as following some tips can reduce the chances of decay and erosion. For example, keeping the beverage from touching the teeth is a good idea. This can be done by using a straw to consume the drink, as this allows limited contact in the mouth. Some people also squirt the beverage down their throat so that it barely touches their mouth at all. Additionally, rinsing with water after every few sips can be helpful in reducing the dangers of this product when it comes to dental health. Not surprisingly, squirting this beverage into a mouthguard, which is then placed in the mouth, is harmful since it ensures that the acid of this product touches each tooth. In fact, using a mouth guard while consuming this type of beverage is also not recommended by most dentists.

These are just some ways to preserve dental health without giving up a product that is quite popular among those in athletics. Seeing a dentist regularly is another recommended tip, whether sports beverages are consumed or not. Staying in shape physically while also having success in the athletic industry can both be important, but taking care of the mouth is also crucial, especially since both aging and participation in a sport can make it harder to keep up with dental health. Therefore, these tips may help.