Many people turn to sports drinks such as Powerade and Gatorade to stay hydrated. Unlike water, these drinks contain electrolytes such as sodium, calcium, potassium and others. Electrolytes are very important to a properly functioning body. Our bodies lose electrolytes rather quickly when you are engaged in athletic activities or any time you are sweating. People often turn to them during times of illness as well.
The purpose of these sports beverages is to replace the lost electrolytes so that your body can continue to operate normally.
Many sports drinks have a large amount of sugar. As you may know, the bacteria in our mouths feed off of sugar, and as a byproduct of their sugar consumption, they create acid and that eats away at the enamel on your teeth. The sports drinks are also acidic in and of themselves as well. Sports drinks can have such a strong acidity level that they can erode enamel to the layer beneath the enamel over time. As a result of this, cavities, stains, and other tooth damage can be made worse because of this.
Sports drinks are high in sugar, which is not good for you. It has the ability to feed germs that are now present in your mouth. The acidity of the beverages can also encourage bacteria to grow. Germs reaching your tooth enamel can cause cavities, periodontal disease, and other more serious problems.
How to reduce your risk
Sports drinks and teeth don’t always get along, but there are a few things you can do to minimize the damage:
A straw might aid in the prevention of tooth cavities. A straw may be used to keep your sports drink in a cup or container. The amount of time the beverage is in touch with your teeth is reduced, lowering the risk of harm.
Take tiny sips: Don’t take big gulps of your drink. This allows some of the acids to be naturally washed out by saliva. It is also important not to dry out your mouth, which can make your teeth more susceptible to damage.
To wash away some of the acid before it causes significant damage to your teeth, rinse your mouth with water after guzzling sports drinks. However, Don’t brush your teeth right away after drinking acidic beverages. You want the acid levels to decrease before brushing.
Examine whether you truly need sports drinks: Consider whether your activity levels are sufficient to require a sports drink. For lighter exercises and workouts, use plain water instead of sports drinks. Limit the amount of times you reach for sports drinks to bigger games, events, or more serious illness.
Select your drinks with care: If you decide to try sports drinks, read the labels. Look at different brands to see which have the least amount of sugar and extra additives.
Keep the rest of your diet balanced: The consumption of sugary foods and sodas, as well as sports drinks, will worsen the problem. If you want these drinks for performance or health, keep the rest of your diet healthy.
Maintain a healthy diet and excellent dental hygiene: Brush and floss your teeth at night and in the morning to keep them healthy.
Sport Drink Alternatives
You may not need energy drinks on a regular basis, and your teeth will thank you if you limit or eliminate them from your diet.
There are a few healthy choices that will keep you hydrated while also enhancing your athletic performance without compromising your oral health:
Athletes have relied on water to maintain their bodies hydrated for decades, and some professional athletes still do so. Water is also beneficial to your teeth and gums.
Bananas are high in potassium and help your body recover glycogen, which helps muscles repair. They’re a type of carb that’s beneficial to your health.
Muscle pain after exercise is common in athletes. L-citrulline, a component present in watermelon juice, has been found to help these individuals.
Coconut water is high in potassium and is frequently consumed by athletes to rehydrate after a workout.
Before you make any modifications, talk to your doctor about your needs. Your personal physician can help you in determining the most healthful techniques for staying hydrated during your exercise.
The Importance of Regular Dental Care
If you consume energy drinks on a frequent basis or participate in sports, it’s crucial that you care for your teeth. Regular dental checkups guarantee that your dentist examines your teeth and finds problems before they become worse. A dentist can also clean your teeth thoroughly to keep them healthy and strong, as well as offer you with further tooth care instructions.
While sports drinks can be beneficial to our bodies during exercise and illness, they can be harmful to your oral health. The issue at hand is that they contain sugar which is harmful to your teeth. Continue reading to see what Dentist in Addison, TX has to say about sports drinks and your health.
