Avoid Dental Problems from Excessive Use of Energy Drinks
Sleep and exercise are proven stress relievers and help promote health. But over 90 million Americans don’t get a good night’s sleep, and many find difficulty developing daily exercise routines. People are constantly seeking new products and looking for more ways to become energized. Many athletes, weekend warriors, business people and homemakers have turned to various energy boosters, including very popular and highly promoted sport and energy drinks like Amp and Red Bull. J. Anthony von Frauhofer, PhD, the chief researcher of a study done at the University of Maryland Dental School, suggests some precaution when using these drinks.
What Energy Drinks Do To Your Teeth Enamel
The researchers immersed pieces of human enamel [outside covering of the tooth and the hardest substance in the body] in 13 popular beverages. The study found that non-cola soft drinks, energy/sports drinks, and commercial lemonade “showed the most aggressive dissolution effect on dental enamel”, and in fact, were up to 11 times more erosive than cola. High levels of some additives, such as citric acid, caused the disintegration of the teeth. Frauhofer advised that people do not sit and sip these drinks for a long time and that you should follow up the energy drink with some water to help rinse away the potentially damaging acids.
