Energy Drinks Rotting Teenagers’ Teeth

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Scientists have warned teenagers that drinking energy drinks on a regular basis is contributing to high rates of tooth decay.

A study, which was published recently in the Academy of General Dentistry, revealed that there has been a significant increase in the consumption of energy drinks among adults and teenagers in the USA and this is taking its toll on oral health, as most are packed with sugar.

Scientists involved in the study warned that drinking sports drinks on a regular basis is causing irreparable damage to peoples’ teeth. The drinks are full of sugar and are very acidic, which causes the protective enamel surfaces of the teeth to become worn.

The study found that it can take as little as 5 days for the harmful effects of energy drinks to become apparent.

Dr Poonam Jain, from Southern Illinois University, said that young people and adults are consuming these drinks thinking that they are providing them with energy, improving their sporting performance and offering a healthier alternative to fizzy drinks. However, the reality is that consumers are effectively washing their teeth with sugary, acidic liquid, which is destroying the enamel and leaving the teeth exposed to decay.

Dr Jain said that many people are shocked to find out that the drinks are actually very harmful.

Researchers investigated the acidity of a range of different drinks by immersing samples of human enamel in each for fifteen minutes, four times a day for 5 days. Researchers found that there was damage to the enamel after just five days and concluded that energy drinks were more harmful than sports drinks. Drinks involved in the trial included Red Bull, Von Dutch, Monster Assault and MDX.

 

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