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Nutrition - Sports Drinks

Nutrition - Sports Drinks

Sometimes, people consider sports drinks to be a healthier option than sodas or juices. However, our SmileTown Langley dentists want to explain how these drinks can cause serious damage to your teeth.


Sports drinks might seem like a healthier choice than juice or soda since they are associated with athletics. However, sports drinks actually have high sugar, salt and calorie content. The result of this is that when these beverages are consumed in excess, they aren't particularly healthy. 

Another issue with sports drinks is that they may also contain high levels of acidity. When combined with the sugar mentioned above, this acidity can quickly cause cavities if consumed frequently. 

How are sports drinks bad for teeth?

Sports drinks are bad for both adult's and children's oral health for a few reasons. First, there's already acid in these drinks that can wear down our tooth enamel. Secondly, with all the sugar these drinks contain, they also encourage bacteria growth that can generate even more acid in the form of plaque. 

Teeth will become more sensitive to temperature change and touch when their enamel breaks down. 

Should I stop allowing my child to drink sports drinks?

At Smile Town Langley, we recommend looking at sports drinks just like you would any other food or drink that's high in sugar and calories. While sports drinks are fine in moderation, they shouldn't be an everyday indulgence. 

Also, make sure your child brushes and flosses his or her teeth extra thoroughly after consuming a sports drink. 

What should my child drink instead of sports drinks?

The absolute best choice for quenching your child’s thirst is (you guessed it) water!

In order to add some extra flavour, you can experiment with adding different fruits or even vegetables to the water, Citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes and oranges, add some zip and sweetness. Likewise, adding cucumber slices to a glass of water can be tasty and refreshing. 

Please contact the Smile Town Langley team with your questions about sports drinks and healthy alternatives, or about your child’s oral health in general.

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