Do energy drinks cause tooth decay?
Does Drinking Energy Drinks Increase the Risk of Cavities?
To put it simply, drinking energy drinks will naturally increase the risk of cavities. The main cause of cavities is sugar, and in simple terms, "oral bacteria and sugar" create "acid," which then "dissolves the teeth" and causes cavities.
Mutans Bacteria Love Sugar
The mutans bacteria in your mouth use sugar as a nutrient to produce acid. Among sugars, they particularly prefer sucrose, which is why consuming juices and sweets is said to make it easier to get cavities.
Liquids Spread Sugar Across Your Teeth
Energy drinks (and other juices in general) contain a large amount of sugar. Since liquids spread across your mouth, they ensure that sugar gets into the gaps between your teeth, which increases the risk of cavities.
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Author: Energy Drink-kun
In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 7,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.
Sugars Found in Energy Drinks
- Sucrose (Saccharose) ... The number one cause of cavities
- Fructose ... Commonly used in berry-flavored products
- Glucose ... Does not directly cause acid, but can lead to plaque buildup
Looking at this, you might think, "I should brush my teeth properly after drinking energy drinks (or juices)..." (ヽ´ω`)
Some People Are Less Prone to Cavities
Some people have never had a cavity, even without brushing their teeth before bed. While this might seem like a lucky coincidence, the truth is that the environment in which your teeth grew when you were a child can affect the quality of your enamel. This leads to variations in people's susceptibility to cavities, with some people having teeth that are more resistant and others more vulnerable.
Also, whether saliva is acidic or alkaline plays a role. People with more acidic saliva are more prone to cavities, while those with more alkaline saliva are less likely to get them.
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Do Zero Sugar Energy Drinks Prevent Cavities?
While zero-sugar energy drinks may seem like they won't cause cavities, strictly speaking, it's not that they prevent cavities entirely, but they are considered "less likely" to cause them.
Sweeteners Found in Zero Energy Drinks
Common sweeteners found in zero-sugar drinks include Acesulfame K and Sucralose, both of which are less likely to cause cavities. If you brush your teeth properly, you shouldn’t need to worry much about cavities.
The Truth Behind "Zero" Labels
However, even if a product is labeled as "zero," it may not be completely sugar-free. The "zero" label can still apply if the drink contains less than 0.5g of sugar per 100ml or fewer than 5 calories.
For a 500ml zero-energy drink, it could contain up to 2.5g of sugar or 25 calories and still be labeled as "zero." For comparison, a single stick of sugar contains about 3g and 12 calories, so the amount of sugar in these drinks is quite minimal.
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Conclusion Considering All Factors
Mutans bacteria alone cannot produce enough acid to cause cavities. If your enamel is less prone to cavities, drinking energy drinks won't necessarily lead to tooth decay. Even sugar-free drinks still carry some risk for cavities.
Cavities, once they form, cannot heal on their own and will continue to progress, so prevention and early treatment are crucial.
Since 2001, Energy Drink Maniac has been drinking energy drinks and providing the most detailed reviews of global energy drinks based on firsthand research.
1533 flavors reviewed.
User reviews: 0 comments.
The collection includes approximately 7,000 types of energy drinks from different countries, sizes, and designs.