Are you struggling to stay awake throughout the day and find yourself reaching for an energy drink? You are not alone. With the rise in popularity of these caffeine-packed drinks, almost 16% of the population has an energy drink weekly. We know these drinks contain high amounts of caffeine, which can give you that much-needed boost, but how are these impacting your smile?

Energy Drinks and the Effects on Your Teeth

One of the biggest problems with any sugary carbonated drink is putting yourself at an increased risk of dental decay. Bacteria in the mouth love sugar. When you drink sugary beverages like energy drinks, you are feeding these bacteria and helping them thrive. If not removed, these bacteria harden and become dental plaque which can cause decay. Once hardened, this substance needs to be removed by a dental hygienist. If not removed, many problems can occur like cavities, gum disease, etc.

What if I am Drinking Sugar-Free Energy Drinks?

While this may be a better option, it can be equally as bad when it comes to your smile. The reason is that sugar is generally replaced by acidic ingredients, which can harm the enamel of your teeth. Slowly sipping an energy drink over the day puts yourself at increased risk of damaging your teeth. This acidic substance does not get washed away but stays on the teeth and slowly causes damage throughout the day.

Better Options

In general, we do not recommend the consumption of energy drinks. There are better options available to help you get that caffeine boost with whole-body positive health effects.

Green tea is the ideal choice to get a boost of caffeine and protect your smile. An 8-ounce serving has about 40 mg of caffeine. Additionally, multiple studies and research have shown that regularly drinking unsweetened green tea can help protect against cavities and prevent tooth decay. Great way to get an energy boost and protect your smile!

Espresso, generally drunk quicker than a regular cup of coffee, is a great way to get your coffee fixed without damaging the teeth. As mentioned above, when we slowly sip beverages, it gives the liquid more time to stay on the teeth and causes damage. Two espresso shots contain around 180 mg of caffeine – giving you quite a bit of bang for your buck.

Dark chocolate can positively affect overall health and contains small amounts of caffeine for that little pick-me-up. New studies show that dark chocolate effectively fights cavities, plaque, and tooth decay. Dark chocolate is a good source of polyphenols and natural chemicals that can limit oral bacteria.

Swap the Energy Drink for Healthier Alternative

Not only do energy drinks negatively impact your smile, but the effects on your overall health can be damaging. Think instead about switching to a healthier alternative like those listed above. Maybe skip the caffeine and take a nap instead!