Right off the bat, not all energy drinks are bad for you. It’s just some energy drink ingredients are detrimental to your teeth. Luckily, there are plenty of energy drinks out there that don’t have these harmful substances.
It has been estimated that the global energy drink market will grow to 6.67 billion USD in 2026. That is terrific news for the energy drink industry but what worries me is the strong correlation between sugary drinks and tooth decays. Will the progress of the said businesses mean the deterioration of the dental health of millions of people?
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the chemicals in energy drinks that affect your teeth, a few of the energy drink options that are good for you, and a whole lot more.
So, if you’re interested in protecting that wonderful smile of yours, keep reading.
Ingredients in Energy Drinks that Affect your Teeth
Most energy drinks are composed of three ingredients: caffeine, sugar, and vitamins. Those first two components are dangerous to one’s health, including oral health, if not used properly. This is true most especially to young people.
In scientific terms, the bacteria convert the sugar into acid, which damages the enamel in your teeth. That is why eating a lot of sugary food and drinks promotes the formation of cavities in the teeth of those who consume them.
To have a deeper understanding, here are the reasons why massive amounts of caffeine and sugar are harmful to your teeth.
Caffeine
Caffeine contents in your energy drink may cause germs to develop in your mouth, which can lead to tooth and enamel deterioration. As a result, your teeth become thin and fragile after consuming a lot of them.
Energy drinks contain high caffeine amounts; this is the top reason why you should think it over before having one because it can affect your teeth. Additionally, caffeine clings to the tongue, which may be the cause of bad breath.
Sugar
Sugar-sweetened energy drinks usually have a high sugar concentration, and consuming them may substantially increase the risk of tooth decay. Moreover, sugar, regardless of its source, has a direct link to dental caries.
Sugar molecules mix with saliva and bacteria present in the mouth, which causes plaque build-up on the teeth. If left on your teeth for an extended period, the plaque has the potential to destroy the enamel, resulting in cavities.
Different Drinks and How They Harm Your Teeth
Any drinks rich in sugar and caffeine may cause permanent damage to tooth enamel, making teeth more sensitive.
According to research, enamel deteriorates when exposed to highly acidic beverages. Insufficient enamel on a tooth allows sugar to penetrate. This seeping of sugar is what induces decay and eventually develops cavities.
That’s why you need to regularly brush your teeth and protect them from sugary drinks by turning to healthier options that I’ll discuss later on.
Watch the video below to know more about how energy drinks can affect your teeth!
Are Energy Drinks Bad for Your Teeth?
Because of their high sugar and caffeine content, energy drinks are not recommended by dental health experts.
Energy drinks are some of the most acidic beverages available in the market. Because of their hyperacidity, individuals who consume them may find themselves grinding their teeth and experiencing tooth fracture and loss in extreme instances.
So make sure that you consume energy drinks in moderation and as much as possible resort to having sugar-free beverages instead in order to preserve your health!
Effects of Energy Drinks on Your Teeth
Mainly, energy drinks can cause these two effects: enamel degradation and dental erosion. Enamel may be the strongest material in the human body, considerably more rigid than bone, but it’s not indestructible.
The acidity level in energy drinks is two times higher than the acidity level in soda and other sports beverages. A regular can or bottle of energy drink contains 12 to 20 oz of acid. Moreover, teenagers and adults drink them at least once a day, ingesting sugar, acids, and caffeine.
Dental erosion is caused by the prolonged exposure of your teeth to acidic substances. High acidity raises the risk of dental tooth erosion, which may have severe implications if left untreated.
Upon contact with tooth enamel, the erosion-inducing acids immediately begin to destroy enamel. Repeating this process over and over again may result in severe oral health issues, such as teeth being sensitive to temperature, and in some instances, irreparable damages.
How Can I Protect My Teeth from Energy Drinks?
A healthy, well-balanced diet is key for maintaining good dental health. It’s because the foods you eat and the beverages you drink may make or break your teeth.
Suppose you really can’t (or won’t) completely avoid taking energy drinks. There are some measures you can take to mitigate their harmful effects. The first and very straightforward thing you can do is consume sugar-free energy drinks instead of regular energy drinks.
Here are other things you can do:
- Restricting your intake entails limiting how often and how much you will have for the day.
- Use a straw to minimize direct contact between your teeth and your tongue.
- Consume your energy drink towards the end of your meals. This is because the saliva in your mouth helps maintain the pH balance in your mouth and mineralize tooth enamel.
- After consuming an energy drink, rinse your mouth with water to restore the pH levels inside your mouth. Then, brush your teeth after 30 minutes; not cleaning your teeth will enable acid to enter your teeth and cause them to break down.
- Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production in the mouth and throat.
Best Energy Drinks for Your Teeth
Good news! Drinking beverages with reduced sugar content lessen your chances of developing tooth decay.
Looking for sugar-free energy drinks that taste delicious but still provide a significant boost in energy may be difficult to find but not impossible. Here are some energy drinks that you can try while enjoying their benefits – healthy boost and tasty flavor.
| ENERGY DRINKS | Caffeine | Sugar |
| Reign | 300 mg | 0 g |
| Celsius | 200 mg | 0 g |
| REIZE | 50 mg | 0 g |
Reign
Reign takes great pride in being an energy drink that has neither calories nor sugar.
Dubbed as the ultimate fitness-focused beverage, many athletes drink Reign and agree that it is delightful. Blended with BCAAs, 300 mg of natural caffeine, CoQ10, and electrolytes, Reign Total Body is intended for those who lead an active lifestyle and want to fuel their bodies with energy.
Reign is sugar-free and uses artificial sweeteners like Sucralose. According to a study, your body can handle Sucralose effectively, it’s okay to take it in moderation, and it’s regarded as safe by the FDA.
Celsius
Celsius is another sugar-free option to consider. This energy drink features a distinctively blended recipe that provides healthy energy as well as essential vitamins that are not just good for your teeth but also for your overall health.
It is also low in sodium, it includes no sugar, and it does not contain any aspartame, as well as any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. A more important thing to note is that Celsius is guaranteed vegan, kosher, and non-GMO!
Here are additional sugar-free alternatives that you may want to check:
- Monster Energy Zero Ultra
- Zipfizz Energy Drink
- C4 Energy Drink
REIZE (Highly Recommended)
Despite the fact that sugar-free energy drinks are more beneficial to your dental health, they are not always the most nutritious option. Hence, why don’t you try a sugar-free energy drink that has low caffeine and includes lots of nutrients?
I’m talking about REIZE Energy Drink.
REIZE is an incredible powdered energy drink that comes in compact 4g sachets that you can carry effortlessly wherever you go. Just mix it with cold or hot water, whichever your choice, you can enjoy its refreshing taste.
Indeed, it is sugar-free, has just 11 calories per serving, and contains a moderate 50mg of caffeine. You won’t have to worry about your daily calorie intake, crashes, or tooth decay when you’re having REIZE.
But wait, that’s not all! REIZE has a clever mix of unique components such as ginseng, taurine, and B vitamins, which all work together to provide you with a steady energy boost – without the jitters that comes later.
And what’s the most remarkable part of this? REIZE can be shipped directly to your door for as little as around $1, isn’t that the greatest deal?
Go and try REIZE now for yourself, and I’m certain that you’ll agree with me that it’s the most impressive sugar-free energy drink option available for your teeth and overall health.
Bottomline
Overall, energy drinks sweetened with sugar have been linked to many severe dental health problems. When consuming them, you should take them in extreme moderation and caution. Energy drinks should be avoided by children and anybody less than 18 years old.
As a healthy consumer, you should know the ingredients in your beverage of choice and make every effort to protect your teeth.
But that’s no reason to go cold turkey on the energy drinks. Selecting low- or no-calorie and sugar-free alternatives may help reduce vulnerability. But don’t let yourself get reliant on caffeine, and remember that moderation is key.
Just follow all these steps and surely, you’ll be sporting a million-dollar smile!