New Study Indicates That Popular Sports Beverages Cause More Irreversible Damage to Teeth Than Soda
CHICAGO (February 15, 2005) - While sports and energy drinks
help athletes re-hydrate after a long workout, if consumed on
a regular basis they can damage teeth. These beverages may cause
irreversible damage to dental enamel, potentially resulting
in severe tooth decay according to a study reported in the January/February
issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry
's clinical, peer reviewed journal. Dental enamel is the thin,
outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth structure
and shape, while protecting it from decay.
"This study revealed that the enamel damage caused by non-cola
and sports beverages was three to 11 times greater than cola-based
drinks, with energy drinks and bottled lemonades causing the
most harm to dental enamel," said J. Anthony von Fraunhofer,
FRSC, FADM, lead author, Professor of Biomaterials Science at
the University of Maryland Dental School. "A previous study
in the July/August issue of General Dentistry demonstrated that
non-cola and canned iced teas can more aggressively harm dental
enamel than cola."
The study continuously exposed enamel from cavity-free molars
and premolars to a variety of popular sports beverages, including
energy drinks, fitness water and sports drinks, as well as non-cola
beverages such as lemonade and ice tea for a period of 14 days
(336 hours). The exposure time was comparable to approximately
13 years of normal beverage consumption.
The study findings revealed that there was significant enamel
damage associated with all beverages tested. Results, listed
from greatest to least damage to dental enamel, include the
following: lemonade, energy drinks, sports drinks, fitness water,
ice tea and cola. Most cola-based drinks may contain one or
more acids, commonly phosphoric and citric acids; however, sports
beverages contain other additives and organic acids that can
advance dental erosion. These organic acids are potentially
very erosive to dental enamel because of their ability to breakdown
calcium, which is needed to strengthen teeth and prevent gum
disease.
"These findings are important and suggest that caution
should be exercised when consuming popular sports beverages
over long periods of time," said AGD spokesperson and president-elect
Bruce DeGinder, DDS, MAGD. "We recommend altering or limiting
the intake of soda and sports drinks and choosing water or low
fat milk instead, to preserve tooth enamel and ultimately protect
teeth from decay."