Damaged teeth from Fitness Supplements and Sports Drinks
Fitness supplements and sports drinks may be costing you money, but how much $$$ damage is it adding to your dental bill?
The photo above was taken of one of our triathlete clients after taking 12 months of intra-work out products while training. The damage to your teeth it can cause can be catastrophic!
Gluttony is another word you don’t normally associate with the super-fit and sporty! But certain habits such as snacking and grazing put our teeth at risk! Tooth decay is caused by how frequently we snack and how long you are exposed to food at any one time. Every time you eat, your teeth are exposed to the sugars in food, this is called an ‘acid attack’. The bacteria in your mouth (plaque) use these sugars to make acid and if teeth are exposed to this acid long enough holes develop -this is known as tooth decay. Tooth decay causing damaged teeth can cause toothache and pain.
It is important to be aware of hidden sugars in so called ‘Health Foods’! These include culprits like muesli bars and sports bars where seemingly healthy ingredients are bound together with sugar! Frequency of snacking and sipping on foods and drinks that contain sugar like dried fruit, sports gels and energy bars will increase your risk of developing tooth decay. The frequency of getting damaged teeth is increased if you are frequently consuming foods that are sticky, as they get lodged easily in your teeth.
Many sports drinks and fitness supplements are also highly acidic. The more frequently you consume them, the more likely you will get damaged teeth from tooth decay. If you must drink or eat them, we recommend you do so when eating food, and try to drink water as much as possible.
Protect your teeth by:
- Snacking on foods that have high nutritional value will help with performance and recovery before and after sport.
- Snacking on foods that are light and low in sugar between meals.
- Eating fresh produce. Packaged and processed foods are generally higher in sugar than their fresh alternatives.
- Reading the label – if sugar is listed in the top three ingredients it’s usually not a good sign.
- Searching online is a great way to find healthy snack ideas
Do you have questions or concerns about damaged teeth? We recommend speaking to one of our experienced Claremont dentists. We can help to diagnose any damage to your teeth or gums, hopefully before there are any serious consequences.
Call our friendly Claremont dental team on 6143 5655, or book an online appointment right here.
