sportsWhile exercise is critical for healthy living, sports and energy drinks that many people consume during exercise are not! With more and more development in the field, the media and beverage companies across the globe have come up with many different ways of promoting sports or energy drinks. These drinks may give one an energy boost for a workout session at the gym, but they have a number of adverse affects on the body, particularly the teeth. At Sage Dentistry, Dr. Latiolais and Dr. Kimes, and clinical staff educate their patients about the harmful effects these drinks can have on the oral cavity. Frequent consumption of these sports drinks can lead to early tooth erosion, wear and tooth decay. The mechanism is simple: the pH value of about 5.5 is considered to be safe for the oral cavity as regulated. Food and beverages that are below this level are acidic in nature and can therefore create a dangerously acidic environment in the mouth. Consistent, regular use of sports drinks provides this favorable environment for harmful bacteria that can then attack teeth, forming cavities. According to a number of research studies and surveys that have recently been conducted, the majority of sports/energy drinks that are being consumed by fitness fanatics are highly acidic in nature as well as extremely high in sugar content, the other major contributor of tooth decay. Check your labels closely… you’ll notice that sugar (usually in the form of high fructose corn syrup) is often the second ingredient, and the serving size indicated on the label is only 8 ounces. That means a 32-ounce bottle of Gatorade can contain 56g of sugar! We recommend water as the ideal thirst quenchers for all. Pure Coconut water can be a great natural electrolyte supplement. Diluting sports drinks with some water can also lower the acidity levels and sugar of the drink to some extent. For men and women who work out – drinking water is the best way to replenish the body, satisfy thirst and regain strength instantly.