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Sports drinks hazard to teeth
1Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|March 1, 1997
Summary
All tested sports drinks pose dental risks due to low pH, increasing enamel demineralization. Formulations with higher pH, lower acidity, and more calcium, phosphate, and fluoride can mitigate these sports drink hazards.
Area of Science:
- Dental Health
- Sports Nutrition
- Food Chemistry
Background:
- Sports drinks are widely consumed for hydration and energy replenishment.
- Understanding their chemical properties is crucial for assessing potential oral health impacts.
Observation:
- The study analyzed eight sports drink brands for pH, titratable acidity, calcium, phosphate, fluoride, and viscosity.
- All analyzed drinks exhibited pH values below the critical threshold of 5.5, indicating a risk for enamel demineralization.
Findings:
- pH levels ranged from 2.38 to 4.46, all below the critical pH for enamel demineralization.
- High titratable acidities were observed in some brands, while others showed intermediate levels.
- Calcium and phosphate concentrations varied, and fluoride levels were consistently low across all samples.
Implications:
- The chemical properties of these sports drinks indicate a significant erosive potential on dental enamel.
- Modifying formulations to increase pH and calcium, phosphate, and fluoride content could reduce the cariogenic and erosive risks associated with sports drinks.