Rochester, N.Y. - They're needed to replenish or boost energy on and off the field but often times drinking these energy and sports drinks could land your kids in the dentist’s chair.“We find that they came for their last appointment six months ago when they had no cavities and they make their next six month appointment and they have multiple cavities on many teeth,” said Pediatric Dental Resident Ritu Shah with Eastman Dental.
The effects of these drinks can be more damaging to teenagers like 16-year-old Jorden Pygott.
How many cavities have you had in your lifetime? “Unfortunately, a lot,” Pygott said.
What's a lot? “More than ten,” Pygott said.
A habit Jorden’s mom is trying to break.
“They're not good for you, they make your heart rate go up and rot your teeth, said Jorden’s mom, Michelle Pygott.
“In terms of your teeth, they're full of sugar and do produce an acidic environment which the bacteria in your mouth love and they take advantage of that and start causing cavities, Shah said.
Because there are so many types of sports and energy drinks, dentists suggest parents compare brands; see which ones have less sugar, causing less damage.
Even cutting back on sugar intake, the effects are still there, that's why dentists encourage prevention.
“Floss between teeth and decrease frequency of these drinks, something that is sipped on through the day is more likely to cause cavities than something that is finished within minutes,” Shah said.
Dentists also suggest drinking water with these sport or energy drinks, which can dilute the effects.
