Energy drinks are taking a terrible toll on teeth, scientists
have warned. A study published in the Academy of General
Dentistry charted an alarming increase in the consumption of
both energy and sports drinks. But they said the habit is
causing irreversible damage to teeth as the high acidity levels
in the drinks erode tooth enamel, the glossy outer layer of the
tooth In some cases it can take as little as five days for the
eroding effect to begin. 'People consume these drinks assuming
that they will improve their sports performance and energy
levels and that they are 'better' for them than soda,' said lead
author Dr Poonam Jain, from Southern Illinois University. 'Most
of these patients are shocked to learn that these drinks are
essentially bathing their teeth with acid.' Researchers examined
the acidity levels in 13 sports drinks and nine energy drinks.
They found that the acidity levels can vary between brands of
beverages and flavors of the same brand. To test the effect of
the acidity levels, the resear