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Sports Drinks Can Cause Tooth Decay

By Henry J. Fishman, M.D.
ConsumerAffairs.com

September 23, 2005

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Those popular sports beverages may re-hydrate you but they can also cause severely damage your teeth, according to an article published in the journal General Dentistry.

Researchers exposed the teeth of a large group of people to various drinks for 14 straight days, the equivalent of 13 years of normal consumption.

They found tremendous damage to dental enamel, the thin outer hard layer of the tooth, from all the beverages.

Bottled lemonade caused the most trouble, followed by in order, energy drinks, sports drinks, fitness water, iced tea, and -- least of all -- cola. Sports drinks contain additives and organic acids which can break down the calcium in your teeth and cause decay.

So limit the intake of sports beverages over long time periods as well as soda and lemonade. Choose plain water or low-fat milk to help prevent tooth decay.

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