From the October 2012 issue of Runner’s World

How to care for your pearly whites after consuming sports and energy drinks

Sports and energy drinks are high in acidity and can damage to tooth enamel according to a study by Southern Illinois University researchers. In the study, researchers submerged human tooth enamel in 13 sports drinks for 15 minutes, followed by artificial saliva for two hours, repeating the process four times a day for five days. Results showed that acidity levels varied widely between brands, and that energy drinks caused twice as much damage compared to sports drinks.

After consuming these types of drinks, the Academy of General Dentistry recommends that you…

RINSE
Rinse your mouth with water.

CHEW
Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva and bring down acidity levels in your mouth.

WAIT
Wait an hour to brush your teeth, since that can make matters worse.

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