Sports Drinks Could Harm Your Teeth

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Sports Drinks Could Harm Your Teeth

-- by Cate son, BA

 

Sports drinks are very popular these days. Various brands

promise benefits from drinking these specialized beverages.

One purports to boost electrolyte levels, another to

rehydrate you quickly, and yet another to replenish sodium

and energy stores.

Many people have come to the realization that soda is not really good for your

health. A high sugar content can affect blood glucose levels, lower your immune

system function, and cause tooth decay. While some have switched to sugar-

free soda, many are now drinking sports drinks as an

alternative. A new study shows, however, that sports drinks are not necessarily

a healthier alternative -- especially when

it comes to your teeth.

The study was an animal study. Researchers at the New

York University College of Dentistry used teeth from cows,

which they cut in half and placed in top-selling sports

drinks. The research team let the teeth soak for 90 minutes.

The researchers said this would be the equivalent of sipping

on the drinks throughout the day.

The research team found that the enamel coating on the

cow teeth was partially eaten away. This created an

opportunity for the drinks to leak into bonelike material

underneath the enamel of the teeth. This in turn caused the

teeth to soften and weaken. Dentists call this condition

erosive tooth wear and it can result in tooth damage and

tooth loss if not treated. The researchers suggest it is the citric acid in

sports drinks that likely causes erosive tooth wear.

They also noted something else that is important to know:

brushing your teeth right after having a sports drink could actually cause more

damage. Once the sports drink has already softened your tooth enamel, it can be

vulnerable to the abrasiveness of toothpaste. They suggest that you drink sports

drinks in moderation and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.

This allows softened enamel to

re-harden.

In another study, a research team evaluated the effect of

carbonated and non-carbonated beverages on dental enamel

with and without fluoride protection. The beverages used in

the study included " Coca Cola Classic, " " Diet Coke, "

" Gatorade, " " Red Bull, " " Starbucks Frappuccino " coffee,

" Dasani " water (bottled), and tap water (control). The

enamel surfaces of the teeth were coated with a fluoride

treatment varnish. The results showed that Coca-Cola

Classic, Gatorade and Red Bull with or without fluoride

revealed the highest erosive effect on dental enamel. The research team

concluded that both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages had a significant

erosive effect on dental enamel and that, surprisingly, fluoride varnish

treatments didn't seem to protect enamel surfaces.

It's better to simply drink water when you are thirsty. Once you have rehydrated

yourself, you can try eating a little fresh fruit to get some natural sugar that

can help to boost energy levels. 

Love, Gabby. :0)

http://stemcellforautism.blogspot.com/

 

" I know of nobody who is purely Autistic or purely neurotypical. Even God had

some Autistic moments, which is why the planets all spin. " ~ Jerry Newport