Energy drinks are popular. In fact, they are one of the most widely-enjoyed beverages in North America. People love energy drinks for their overwhelming sweetness and mood-boosting effects. Like coffee, they cause a brief energy boost that can make working or doing homework easier and more enjoyable. Unfortunately, energy drinks come with their fair share of negative side effects. Like soda, they’re full of sugar and pose a substantial threat to oral hygiene. 

In this article, we’ll look past the brightly-coloured advertisements people see on their favourite energy drinks and examine the ways they damage teeth. Don’t worry - we’ll also look at alternatives so giving up energy drinks doesn’t have to mean giving up caffeine.

Negative Effects of Energy Drinks on Teeth
Energy drinks are highly acidic. Their corrosive properties (combined with their exorbitant amounts of refined sugar) make them a danger to the tooth’s enamel. Acidic substances cause unnecessary wear-and-tear on teeth. They erode the enamel over time, causing discoloration, sensitivity and eventually, cavities.

It has been found that the most acidic energy drinks are:

- Rockstar
- Red Bull (Sugar-free)
- Monster Assault
- 5-hour Energy

Cavity repairs are much easier than they used to be and many people minimize their impact. Fixing a cavity may be a quick, painless procedure but it’s important to avoid them if possible. Individuals who drink energy drinks are at a higher risk for developing cavities than those who don’t include them in their diet. Even a thorough tooth brushing afterward won’t be enough to minimize the effects completely - some of the sugars and acids may remaining, causing damage.

Long-Term Consequences on Teeth When Drinking Energy Drinks
Energy drinks can have a pH as low as 3.2, rivaling battery acid (a substance with a pH of 1).  When a person introduces acids to their oral cavity, it promotes the growth of bacteria. Bacteria cause bad breath, damage to the enamel, and a host of other issues.

By fostering additional bacteria growth, energy drink consumption increases a person’s odds of developing the following conditions:

- Gingivitis
- Cavities
- Abscesses and infections
- Receding gums
- Oral thrush/candida
- Dry mouth
- Cavities
- Halitosis (bad breath)

Once energy drinks start to damage a person’s teeth, there’s little they can do to reverse it. Abscesses can be life-threatening if they aren’t treated, although infections are usually curable. Alternatively, gingivitis can cause permanent gum damage and cavities don’t heal on their own. Oral thrush can be challenging to get rid of and receding gums won’t grow back on their own. Energy drinks are also known to cause yellowing and abnormal appearances on teeth. Simply put, soda isn’t the only popular beverage that’s harmful to oral health - energy drinks are equally as damaging, if not more so.

Alternatives to Energy Drinks that are Better for Teeth
Depending on the person, it can be challenging to give up energy drinks. After all, who doesn’t love a caffeine boost in the morning to help them start their day? Fortunately, there are dozens of other beverages that offer energy or mood-boosting effects without posing a threat to oral health.

Our favourite alternatives to energy drinks that are better for teeth include:

- Yerba mate
- Black tea
- Coffee

Yerba mate is an excellent alternative to energy drinks because of its natural caffeine content. It also contains antioxidants, making it a healthy-choice all around. Black tea also contains a manageable amount of caffeine and unless you add honey or syrups, it’s naturally sugar-free. It also contains l-theanine, a compound known to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine (like heart palpitations and jitteriness). In general, coffee is not great for teeth. On the other hand, it’s better than energy drinks (especially when it's unsweetened) and it provides a similarly-potent energy boost. It’s important to limit coffee consumption to promote better oral hygiene but it can be a viable alternative to energy drinks in a pinch.

Final Thoughts
Generally speaking, energy drinks are one of the worst things a person can consume if they want healthy teeth. At the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa, individuals with tooth decay from energy drinks can get reliable care to reverse the damage.

If you’re looking for tooth repair experts, the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre located in Ottawa can help. We understand the causes of oral disease and work with you to find solutions. For more information, please contact us directly and we can discuss which services may be right for you.