The study – published in General Dentistry – reports an
‘alarming’ increase in the consumption of sports and energy
drinks, especially among adolescents, is causing irreversible
damage to teeth. Led by Dr Poonam Jain from Southern Illinois
University, USA, the researchers add that specifically, the high
acidity levels in the drinks erode the glossy outer layer of
enamel on the tooth. Jain revealed that damage to the tooth
enamel was evident after just five days of exposure to sports or
energy drinks – though energy drinks showed a significantly
greater potential to damage teeth than sports drinks, said the
research team. "Young adults consume these drinks assuming that
they will improve their sports performance and energy levels and
that they are 'better' for them than soda," she said, adding
that "most of these patients are shocked to learn that these
drinks are essentially bathing their teeth with acid." The
research team examined the acidity levels in 13 sports drinks
and nine energy drinks – finding that