Introduction:
Energy and sports drinks are commonly consumed by students, athletes, and adolescents. To many, the labels and advertisements of pure electrolytes mislead consumers into believing that they are drinking something nutritious and beneficial for their bodies. Often marketed for hydration, energy, or athletic performance, many of these drinks contain acids, sugars, and colorants that may harm oral health when consumed frequently. The study aims to observe how drinks with low pH can affect tooth structure as well as restorative dental materials such as resin composites and glass ionomers. The study encompasses dental erosion, highlighting its significance, because once the enamel is damaged, they do not grow back.
Methods:
The paper was a review article, where the authors examined research on how energy and sports drinks affect natural teeth and dental restorative materials. The study mainly attributes pH as the main factor for causing tooth decay. The researchers observed a correlation between the drink’s pH and its impact on tooth decay. A pH of 7 is neutral, while values below 7 are acidic. Lower pH values indicate stronger acidity, which is important because acid can remove minerals from enamel and weaken the tooth surface.
In addition, authors reviewed studies that measured enamel and dentin erosion, changes in surface hardness, and damage to restorative materials. Surface hardness refers to how resistant a material is to scratching or wear, where a decrease in surface hardness indicates that the tooth material has become softer and more vulnerable to damage. Regarding restoration, the review considers surface roughness, discoloration, and degradation, which can affect both appearance and durability. In this review, the authors did not recruit participants or adjust for variables in the same way as a clinical trial; rather, they compared findings from laboratory and observational studies to identify general patterns.
Results:
The review found that many energy and sports drinks are highly acidic: Burn had a pH of 2.67, Gatorade had a pH of 3.27, Red Bull had a pH of 3.54, Powerade had a pH of 3.79, and Isostar had a pH of 3.87. To reiterate, since all of these values are below 7, each drink is considered acidic. Burn had the lowest pH, making it the most acidic among the listed examples.
When teeth are exposed to acidic drinks repeatedly, minerals can be removed from the enamel, weakening the tooth surface. Over time, this can lead to tooth sensitivity, visible wear, and a greater risk of dental damage. Drinks that are both acidic and high in sugar may be especially harmful because sugar can also feed oral bacteria that produce cavity-causing acids. Furthermore, the study found that these drinks may affect dental restorations. Resin composites and glass ionomers, which are commonly used for tooth-colored fillings, may become rougher, weaker, or more discolored after repeated exposure to acidic beverages. This is significant to the appearance of teeth, with rougher restorations collecting more plaque and stains, while discoloration can make the filling look less natural.
The main limitation is that many studies included in the review were laboratory studies or in vitro studies. These studies are useful for controlling conditions, but they do not fully represent the human mouth and external factors. In real life, saliva helps neutralize acid, dilute sugar, and protect enamel. Another limitation is that different studies used different drinks, exposure times, and dental materials, making direct comparisons and correlations difficult. Therefore, the findings show increased risk, but they do not prove that occasional consumption will automatically cause severe dental damage.
Conclusion:
Overall, the findings suggest that frequent consumption of energy and sports drinks may cause permanent damage to both natural teeth and dental restorations. The main concern is that many of these beverages are acidic, with reported pH values ranging from about 2.67 to 3.87. These findings are especially important for adolescents and young adults, who commonly consume sports and energy drinks, which sparks concern for their oral health and the need for a better understanding. Future research should include more clinical studies that examine real-life drinking habits, saliva protection, fluoride use, and long-term dental outcomes. Overall, the review supports the idea that these drinks should be consumed in moderation, while water should remain the preferred choice for regular hydration. Prevention is powerful, and understanding the effects of acidic beverages is important for preventing long-term dental problems.
