Consumed to increase mood, improve performance in studies or enhance training, energy drinks have gained space in many people’s routines. However, while the impacts of these drinks on the heart, blood pressure and sleep are widely discussed, an important effect often goes unnoticed: the damage to oral health.

According to dentist Flávio Pinheiro, the main problem is the high acidity present in most energy drinks. “Many of these drinks have a very low pH, capable of causing dental erosion, which is the gradual wear of tooth enamel”, he explains.

Enamel is the most resistant layer of teeth, but it does not have the capacity to regenerate. Therefore, once worn, the damage is permanent. Next, the specialist points out some signs that may indicate that frequent consumption of energetic is affecting oral health.

1. Sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods

One of the first signs of tooth erosion is usually increased sensitivity. This happens because enamel wear leaves inner regions of the teeth exposed, making them more vulnerable to external stimuli.

“If a person feels discomfort when drinking cold water, hot coffee or consuming sweets, it is important to investigate the cause. In some cases, frequent consumption of acidic drinks may be related to the problem”, warns Flávio Pinheiro.

2. Loss of natural tooth shine

Many people associate changes in appearance of the teeth only to aging or the consumption of coffee and wine. However, dental erosion can also leave teeth looking dull and dull.

“As the enamel wears away, the tooth surface can lose part of its natural shine, becoming more vulnerable to other oral problems”, explains Flávio Pinheiro.

3. Frequent appearance of cavities

In addition to acidity, many energy drinks contain large amounts of sugar. This combination favors the proliferation of bacteria responsible for cavities. Even the sugar-free versions deserve attention. Although they reduce the risk of cavities, they continue to have high acidity, a factor that contributes to tooth wear.

“The problem is not just the sugar, but also the acidity of these drinks, which can compromise the enamel integrity over time”, explains the dentist.

4. Visible tooth wear

In more advanced cases, erosion can change the shape of the teeth, leaving the edges thinner, irregular or with a worn appearance. According to Flávio Pinheiro, this is a condition that has been observed with increasing frequency, including in young patients who consume energy drinks regularly.

Minimizing the risks

Those who don’t give up drinking can adopt some simple measures to protect their oral health:

• Drink water after consuming the energy drink;
• Avoid drinking the drink little by little for several hours;
• Reduce the frequency of consumption;
• Wait approximately 30 minutes before to brush your teeth.

“Occasional consumption tends to represent a lower risk. The problem usually arises when the drink becomes part of the daily routine and the teeth are repeatedly exposed to the acids present in these products”, concludes Flávio Pinheiro.

By Adriana Quintairos